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,'vii.V. ‘ ik ^ ^t)' '' ^ • r- 




SELECTIONS FROM THE RECORDS OF THE GOVERNMENT 
OF INDIA, FOREIGN DEPARTMENT. 


CORRESPONDENCE 


RELATING TO THE 

DISMEMBEKMENT OF KOTAH, 

RAJPOOTANA. 


---- 

PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT PRESS, 

COUNCIL HOUSE STREET. 


ises. 







XTia-t 

4-lB 



«> i) 


COEUES PONDENCE 


RELATING TO 

THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


Extract from a Despatch to the Hon^ble the Court of Directors of the 
East India Company, in the Political Department, No. 14, dated the 
6th April 1835. 

Harowtee — Kotah — Boondee. 


PARAaUAPH 91. 


-The Despatches recorded on the pro¬ 
ceedings of the annexed dates 
relate to the adjustment of cer¬ 
tain Boundary disputes on the 
Boondee and Odeypore Erontiers, 
and between Jyepore, Kotah, and Boondee. 


Political, 1834. 

Cons., 3rd April, No. 67A. 

Nos. 70 and 71. 

Cons., 12tli June, Nos. 120 & 121. 


92. Major Alves was informed, in reply, that the speedy 
settlement of the differences in 

Cons., 12th June, No. 124. . . 

question was considered by the 
Governor General to he very satisfactory and creditable to 
the Ofidciating Political Agent at Kotah. 


93. As suggested by that Ofl&cer and Lieutenant-Colo¬ 
nel Speirs, a strong injunction has been laid by His Lordship 
on the States of Kotah and Jyepore to refrain from such 
conduct as is likely to renew those ancient border feuds. 

1 




2 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


94. The communications addressed to the Rajah of 
Jyepore and the Maharajah of 
Kotah on this occasion are noted 
in the margin. 


Cons., 12th June, Nos. 122 & 123. 


98. The particulars connected with a visit of condo¬ 
lence paid by the Officiating Political Agent at Kotah to 
Muddun Sing, the son of the late Raj Rana Madhoo Sing, 
on the death of his father, and the present state of politics 

at the Kotah Durbar, are reported 
in the Despatch recorded as per 
margin. 


Cons., 3rd April, Nos. 73 & 74. 


100. With reference to the solicitation of the Raj 
Rana of Kotah for an indulgence of some delay in the 
payment of his tribute, and to the question regarding the 
period from which interest would be claimable on the 
instalments that might be in arrears, a subject which was 
adverted to in the 112th paragraph of the letter to your 

Hon’ble Court, No. 18 of 1834, 

Cons., 24th April, No. 22. t • j. j. /-i i i o • 

Lieutenant-Colonel bpeirs was 
apprized that the request of the Raj Rana could not be 
complied with, for, if the instalment of tribute were to be 
allowed to remain six months in arrear, the indulgence : 
would, as stated by Mr. Wilkinson, virtually amount to a i 
remission of one instalment. Interest, it was observed, j! 
should in future be charged from the period of the half- 
yearly payment falling in arrear ; but the Officiating Agent 
was authorized to remit the interest on any instalment that 
might be due up to the 25th March 1834, apprizing the Raj 





THE DISMEMBERMENT OP KOTAII. 


3 


Tlana that it would be punctually enforced with regard to 
any arrears that might accrue hereafter. 

101. With reference to the 104th paragraph of the 
last quarterly general letter, No. 18 of 1834, will be found 


recorded, as per margin, a com¬ 
munication from Lieutenant- 


Cons., 1st May, Nos. 18 & 19. 


Colonel Speirs, submitting a khureetah from the Maha Rao 
of Kotah, acknowledging the receipt of the books and scien¬ 
tific instruments which had been sent to that Prince as 
presents from the Governor General. 

102. Noted as per margin is another letter from the 


Officiating Agent, with its 
enclosed translation of a khu- 


Nos. 20 & 21. 


reetah from the Raj Rana of Kotah, in reply to the commu¬ 
nication which had been addressed to him by the Governor 
General on the subject of the suppression of the practice of 
female infanticide. 

103. With advertence to the 115th paragraph of the 
last quarterly general letter from this Government, No. 18 
of 1834, is recorded a letter of condolence addressed by the 
Governor General to Raj Rana Muddun Sing on the occa¬ 
sion of the death of his late parent, together with the in- 

1 structions issued to the Officiating Agent for the States of 
I Rajpootana, relative to the khellaut to be conferred on that 
individual in recognition of his succession to the dignity of 
his deceased father, Madhoo Sing, as Raj Rana of Kotah. 

104. The Officiating Political Agent at Kotah having 


Cons., 26th June, No. 55. 


reported that he had succeeded 
in inducing the Raj Rana to pay 



4 


COIIRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


the tribute due to the Goverument, and to promise its punc¬ 
tual liquidation in future, Major Alves was directed to inti¬ 
mate to Cornet Macnaghten 
the satisfaction which the Go¬ 
vernor General had derived from the promptitude with which 
the arrears of tribute had been realized on this occasion, 
and the assurances which that Officer had obtained that it 
should be punctually discharged hereafter. 


Extract from a Despatch to the Hon^ble the Court of Directors of the 
East India Company, in the Political Department, No. 29, dated 
the 13th July 1835. , 

Pakagbaph 104.—Recorded as per margin are copies 
Pouucai, 1834. of the khurectahs addressed to 

Cons., i9tii July, Nos. 32 to 36. D^ana, Muddun Sing, on 

the occasion of his being invested with the Press of Honor 
conferred on him by the Governor General in confirmation 
of his succession to the Regency of Kotah. 


105. The cost of the articles composing the khel- 
laut presented to that personage, 
amounting to St. Rupees 1,810-5-6, 
was passed in a Contingent Bill submitted by Major Alves. 


Cons., 13tli November, No. 13. 


106. The progressive advancement of the English 
School established at Kotah formed the subject of a com¬ 
munication from the Rai Rana 

Political, 1834. 1 ^ i 

Cons., 28th August, Nos. 9 and 10. to theaddrcss of our Peputy 
„ 21st „ No. 19. Secretary, of which a copy is 

noted in the margin. 






THE DISMEMBERMENT OE KOTAH. 


5 


107. On the 29th Jnly Major Alves reported the 
receipt from the Officiating Political Agent at Kotah of 
hoondees for the sum of St. Rupees 1,32,360-0-0 on account 
of the last half-year’s instalment of the tribute due from 
that State. 


Extract from a Despatch to the Hon'ble the Court of Directors of the 
East India Company, in the Political Department, No. 33, dated 
the 28th September 1835. 


Ilarowtee — Kotah — Boondee. 

Paragraph 97.—With reference to the 46th paragraph 
of the Report of the proceedings of the Government of India 
Political, 1834. while assembled at Ootacamund, 

Cons., November, No. 117. recorded, as per margin, a letter 

from Major Alves, explanatory of the subject of the direct 
correspondence maintained by Captain Borthwick, Political 
Agent at Mohidpore, with the Raj Rana of Kotah and the 
Aumils of Harowtee on matters relating to those portions of 
that territory which lie under his general superintendence. 


98. Major Alves was informed, in reply, that we were 
Political, 1834. not a War 6 of any objection to 

Cons., 21st November. No. 118. Captain Borthwick Correspond¬ 
ing direct with the Kotah Aumils upon matters of local 
interest on which it had been usual so to do ; but that any 
communication which he might find it necessary to make 
to the Raj Rana should be forwarded through the medium 
of the Political As:ent. 





6 


COREESPONDENCE UELA.T1NG TO 


101. The three Despatches noted in the margin consist f 

of a correspondence relative to ^ 
Political, 1835. the atfairs of Kotah and to the 

tl ^ ll: state of the corn market in that 
country. The Political Agent 
in Harowtee having submitted a transcript of a letter 
addressed by him to the Agent in Rajpootana on the last- j 
mentioned subject, Major Alves was informed that we did j 
not purpose to notice that communication until furnished 
with his reply thereto. He was requested to apprize Major 
lloss accordingly, and to forward a copy of the answer i 
he might make for the consideration of the Govern¬ 
ment. 

102. The reasons assigned by Major Alves for not | 
having replied to Major Ross’s communication on the sub¬ 
ject of the corn market at Kotah, and the injurious system i 

of monopoly existing under the 
Political, 1835 . Raj Rana’s rule, are contained 

Cons., 19th February, No. 39. .j-^g letter recorded as per 

margin. 


102A. In answer to the preceding letter, and with 
reference to Major Alves’s Des- 
Poiuicai, 18^5. patch, dated 23rd November, 

Cons., 19th February, No. 10. T . n, i i, 

heremalter specmed, he w'as in¬ 
formed that the 4th paragraph of that communication was 
considered to contain a correct view of the course which 
ought to be pursued by British Political Officers accre¬ 
dited to Native States on occasions similar to that which 
had given rise to this correspondence, and he was requested 
to instruct Major Ross accordingly. 



THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


7 


103. Recorded as per margin is the letter from the 

Pom..i, 18 S 5 . Kajpootana, dated 23rd 

Cons., 15th January, Nos. 31 & 32 . NovembGr, abovG referred to, re¬ 
lating principally to a projected 
, matrimonial alliance between the Maha Rao of Kotah and a 
Princess of Jessulmere. In this communication Major Alves 
also submitted liis sentiments regarding the line of conduct 
proper to be pursued by the British Representative towards 
the State of Kotah with reference to its commercial con¬ 
cerns and the question relative to the condition of corn 
market in that quarter. 

104. Major Alves was informed, in reply, that there 

I Folitical, 1835. of a poli- 

I Cons., 15th January, No. 33 . tical iiature to tliG alliance in 

j question ; and that with regard 

j to the expense, that was a matter which must be settled 
between the Maha Rao and the Raj Rana, recourse being 
had to our mediation if necessary. 

105. With reference to the case of Maharajah Bi- 
shen Sing, of Untah, adverted to in paragraphs 38 to 43 of 

the Report of our proceedings 

Political, 1835. ^ r\ j. t ^ ^ 

Cons., 7th January, No. 48. Ootacamund, IS recorded, as 

per margin, a Despatch from the 
Agent in Rajpootana, submitting copies of a correspondence 
from which Major Alves inferred the probability of a ter¬ 
mination to the discussions between the Maha Rao and the 
Raj Rana regarding the supposititious child of Bishen Sing 
by the decision of Government not to acknowledge the 
infant as his, as well as to the persecutions which that 
Chief had hitherto endured. 




CORTIESPONDENCB RELATING TO 


106. The Despatches on our Consultations of the 
annexed date relate to the suh- 

Pouticai, 1855. • ^ 1 * jj^aharaiah Bislien Sing’s 

Cons., 5fch February, Nos. 39 & 40. i tt i. i. .t* 

proposed return to Untah irom 
Nathdwarra, in the Odeypore Territory. 


107. 


Political, 1835. 
Cons., 5th February, No. 41. 


As we had no concern with any agreement which 
might have taken place between 
the Maharajah and the E-aj 
Eana regarding the return of 
the former to Untah, it was not necessary, we observed, for 
us to interfere to secure that object; and as our doing 
so would make us responsible for his subsequent good treat¬ 
ment, it was desired that he might be left to his own choice 
in the matter. 


108. On the subject of the Eao Eajah of Boondee’s 
recent visit to Kotah, it was observed that the Government 
of India regarded with satisfaction the prospect which this 
occurrence held out of increased friendly feeling between 
the States of Kotah and Boondee. 


109. It appearing that Major Boss had taken the 
opportunity of the Bao Baj of 
PoUhcai, 1835. Boondce’s visit to Kotah to urge 

Cons., 5th February, Nos. 37 & 38. • ry i 

upon that Cbiet an early com¬ 
pliance with the decisions which had been passed upon 
several frontier questions, it was intimated in reply that 
that Officer was considered to have acted with judgment 
on the occasion. 


110. The Maha Bao of Kotah having forwarded, as a 
present to the late Governor General, an Astronomical 



THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAIL 


9 


Instrument called Jooree-Juntur, prepared by the artists of 

that country, a suitable reply 

PoUUcal, 18^5. - / ^ . 

Cons.,19thFebruary,Nos.41to43. ^IS Lordsllip to 

that Chiefs communication on 
the subject, and he was at the same time apprized of the in¬ 
tention of the head of the Government to send him, in re¬ 
turn for his present now acknowledged. Orrery which had 
been commissioned from England for that purpose. 

^ ^ 

279. Eecorded as per margin is the explanation 

Political, 1834. furnished by Captain Borthwick, 

Cons., 23rd January, Nos. 73 and 74 . ^hc Political Agent at Mohid- 

pore, on the subject of a khureetah which had been ad¬ 
dressed by that 0£B.cer to the Baj Rana of Kotah direct, 
instead of through the prescribed channel of the Political 
Agent stationed at that Court. 

280. The observations addressed in reply to Captain 

Political, 1835. Bortliwick on the point above 

Cons.. 23rd January, No. 75 . referred to are contained in a 

letter to his address, dated the 23rd January, a copy of 
which is included in the packet. 


Extract from a Despatch to the Hon^ble the Court of Directors of the 
East India Company, in the General Department, No. 1, dated 
the 6th January 1838. 

PAUAGEAPH 30.—In the States of Rajpootana the gen¬ 
eral aspect of affairs is satisfactory. My attention is 
steadily directed to the suppression of predatory habits in 
those States and in Malwa, where there appeared at one 
time some hazard of their viewing to an inconvenient and 
injurious extent. The double Government of Kotah is a 


2 





10 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


# 

cause of necessary anxiety, but the Agent has instructions, 
in strictly fnlfilling every obligation under which we are 
placed by Treaty to impress on the Haj B;ana, who is said 
to be indiscreet and incapable; that we cannot interfere to 
protect liim against any general insurrection of the Chiefs 
and people of the territory, produced by his own mis-govern- 
ment: and, if a suitable opportunity occurs for it, it will be 
my wish to press the subject of dividing the Kotah country 
into two distinct Principalities under the Government of 
the Maha Rao and Eaj liana respectively. It is satisfactory 
to be enabled to report the disappearance of nearly every 
remnant of the threatening pestilence which prevailed with 
very fatal effects in different parts of Hajpootana in the 
course of last year. _ 


Copy of a Despatch from the Court of Directors, No. 24, dated London, 
the 18th October 1837. 


Paragraph 1. —The Advices noted in the margin relate 


Political letters, dated 6th April, 
No. 14-1835, paragraphs 91 to 94 and 
100 to 101. 

13th July (No. 29) 1835, para¬ 
graphs 104 to io7. 

7th September (No. 32) 1835, para¬ 
graphs 36 to 48. 

8 th September (No. 33) 1835, para¬ 
graphs 97,98,101 to 108,110, & 279,280. 

15th February (No. 5) 1836, para¬ 
graphs 82 to 86. 

9th May (No. 10) 1836, paragraphs 
24 to 29. 

25th July (No. 20) 1836, paragraphs 
46 to 60 & 61 to 67. 

26th September (No. 25) 1836, para¬ 
graphs 48 to 51. 

14th November (No. 32) 1836, 
entire. 

28th November (No. 33) 1836, para¬ 
graphs 52 to 56. 

Agra Secretary’s Narrative for 
February 1835, paragraph 46. 

Ditto for May 1835, paragraph 200. 

Ditto for August 1835, paragraphs 
104, 105. 


to the affairs of Kotah, and their 
contents are of a highly import¬ 
ant nature. 

2. The embarrassments 
arising from the peculiar relation 
which exists between the legiti¬ 
mate Prince of Kotah and its 
actual ruler, and from our obliga¬ 
tions by Treaty toward both, must ; 
at all times be great, but at pre- - 
sent, in consequence of the youth, J 
timidity of character, and ineffi- j 
cient administration of the Kajfi 
Kana, those embarrassments have ij 




THE DISMEMBERMENT OP KOTAH. 


11 


increased in an extraordinary degree. The present llaj 
liana, Muddun Sing, is stated to be totally unable to maintain 
himself if our support were withdrawn: his administration 
is affirmed to be generally unpopular; and, as it would appear 
from the Political Agent’s Reports, not undeservedly so, the 
sympathies of the people appear to be wholly on the side 
of the Maha Rao, and a erisis has for some time been 
looked upon as so probable that no time was to be lost 
in determining what course it would be proper for you to 
adopt either on its occurrence or for the purpose of avert¬ 
ing it. 


3. This question has accordingly engaged the most 
serious attention of the Political Agent, Mr. Ross, of his 
immediate superior, Lieutenant-Colonel Alves, of the Lieute¬ 
nant-Governor of the Western Provinces, and of your Go¬ 
vernment, and we are in possession of the sentiments of 
each of these Authorities on the subject. 

4. In the course of your deliberations you very early 
came to the decision that we are not bound by our engage¬ 
ments with the Raj Rana to maintain him in power after it 
should clearly appear that he was incapable of exercising 
it with benefit to the Kotah State. This you caused the 
Political Agent to notify to Muddun Sing, accompanying the 
announcement with a representation to him respecting some 
of the more flagrant subjects of complaint against his 
conduct, the non-payment of the Troops, spoliation of the 
mercantile classes, and want of due observances towards the 
Maha Rao. This remonstrance was received with submis¬ 
sion and promises, which, however, do not appear to have 
been fulfilled. 





12 


COREESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


5. The appearances of an impending crisis having 

grown stronger, the Lieutenant-Grovernor of the Western 
Provinces communicated to you in a long Despatch the result 
of his deliberations on the subject, and that document, toge¬ 
ther with your reply to it, have been considered by us 
with the attention which they so w'ell merit. I 

6. On this important occasion we have felt it our 

duty to trace hack the history of our connection with I 
Kotah to its commencement, and to consider calmly and 
deliberately the nature of the obligations which your pre¬ 
decessors contracted towards the two parties between 
whom a struggle seems to be on the point of breaking out, | 
with a view to decide how far those apparently conflicting! 
obligations admit of being reconciled, and what course is 
best calculated to meet the combined exigencies of public 
faith and political expediency under the obvious difficulties! 
of the case. I 

7. At the time of our Treaty with Kotah the Maha 
Kao, Omed Sing, took no apparent interest in public affairs. 
The entire administration of the country had been for| 
nearly half a century in the hands of the Kaj Kana, Zalim, 
Sing. 

8. By the Treaty with Kotah, which is dated 26th 

December 1817, the absolute sovereignty of the country is 
declared to be vested in Omed Sing and his heirs. A Sup¬ 
plementary Article, dated 20th Pebruary 1818, vests the Ad-| 
ministration in Zalim Sing and his heirs. I 

9. Zalim Sing was originally the hereditary Pouzdar, 
or Commander-in-Chief, of Kotah. The old Kajah, Goman 



THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAII. 


13 


Sing, on liis death-rbed left Zalim Sing Regent during the 
minority of his son, Omed Sing, who was then ten years 
of age. Zalim Sing as Regent of course exercised the 
whole power of the administration, and the extraordi¬ 
nary ability with which he not only conducted the 
affairs of that Government, hut established and maintained 
a commanding ascendancy over all the States of Rajpootana, 
induced Omed Sing, after the termination of liis minority, to 
continue in the hands of Zalim Sing the entire and uncon¬ 
trolled administration of his country, retaining only the 
outward pomp and show of sovereignty, which, with the most 
scrupulous attention and subserviency, were conceded to him 
by Rana Zalim Sing. Everything was done in the name 
of Omed Sing; the Treaty was made in his name; the appa¬ 
rent submission of Zalim Sing to the Rajah, carried on 
throughout his life with the most consummate art, was 
calculated to prevent any dissatisfaction from arising in the 
mind of Omed Sing. 


10. But while Zalim Sing was appearing to the Rajah 
as the humblest of his creatures, he was appearing to us, as 
he really was, the actual master of the State. “ The name 
of Omed Sing, ” it is observed in Mr. Secretary Swinton’s 
I letter of 22nd April 1820, “ was inserted in the Treaty at 
' the express desire of the Raj Rana. ” 

“ The ties,’' it is observed in the same letter, “ by which 
we are connected with the State of Kotah were formed 
with Raj Rana Zalim Sing, the ostensible and acknowledged 
ruler of the country. We knew, indeed, of an hereditary 
Rajah, but we knew of him only as a pageant. According 
to what often occurs in Indian administration, he was, with 




14 


COEUESPONDENCE EELATING TO 


his own perfect acquiescence, totally devoid of identification 
with the Government, and the real sway was unquestioned 
in the person of Zalim Sing; he alone was considered the 
head of the Kotali State. The titular Rajah was no more 
thought of as the ruler of Kotah than the Rajah of Sattara 
was as the leader of the Mahrattas or the Great Mogul as 
the Emperor of Hindoostan.” 

11. These views of the subject were repeated by your 
Government in its correspondence with us. But when we 
made our Treaty with the Paishwa we did not find him 
practising all the arts of abject submission before the Rajah 
of Sattara, nor was a thought entertained on either side of 
naming the Rajah of Sattara in the Treaty. Zalim Sing, 
however, knew that the omission of his master’s name would 
have been derogatory to his reputation among the States of 
India without in any degree adding to his power, and it was 
therefore at his express desire that the Treaty was concluded 
in the name of Rajah Omed Sing. 

12. It was not, as we have already noticed, by the same 
deed, but by a subsequent one, that the administration was 
guaranteed to Zalim Sing and his heirs: the Treaty is dated 
the 26th December 1817, and the Supplementary Article the 
20tli Eebruary 1818. 

13. Sir Charles Metcalfe says in a letter to Mr. Adam, 
dated 8th January 1818—“The Treaty is concluded in 
the name of Maha Rao Omed Sing, the Rajah of Kotah, 
and his heirs and successors; but I need not say that 
the real negotiator is Raj Rana Zalim Sing, the admi¬ 
nistrator and effective ruler of that country for a long 


THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


15 


period. It was be expected that the Eaj Rana 
would wish to stipulate for the continuation of the 
administration on its present footing in his own person 
and his descendants, and I was fully prepared to accede to 
such a proposition. His Agents, however, seemed to think 
that he might not wish to have such a stipulation inserted 
in the Treaty. The idea was, therefore, relinquished, but 
it was understood that the administration was guaranteed 
to Zalim Sing and his heirs without any formal stipulation. 
The Agents, however, have since discovered that the inser¬ 
tion of such an Agreement Avould have been gratifying to 
their master, and a reference is now pending with a view 
to ascertain what mode of remedying this deficiency will 
be most satisfactory to him. I am ready to accede to any 
reasonable proposition for such an arrangement, and I 
am sure that nothing unreasonable will be proposed. ” 

14. Mr. Adam replies, 19th January 1818—“The Go¬ 
vernor General will be prepared to confirm any alteration 
which may be admitted by you in the Treaty as it already 
stands, that shall more effectually secure to Raj Rana 
Zalim Sing and his heirs the authority and privileges in 
the State of Kotali which he now exercises. ” 

15. The Supplementary Article was afterwards trans¬ 
mitted by Sir Charles Metcalfe, and was ratified by your 
Government as being conformable to the existiag state 
of things. 

16. At a subsequent period, when this Supplementary 
Article had produced a portion of the manifold evils which 


16 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


might have been anticipated from it,*it was stated in a 
letter from your Government to us that 

“ The form of Government which we found established 
in Kotah, and were bound by every obligation of good faith 
to maintain, is radically vicious. ” The form of Govern¬ 
ment which we found established in Kotah was that of a 
sovereign voluntarily submitting to the continued exercise 
of the functions of Kegent in the person of the indivi¬ 
dual who was appointed to that office when the Kajah 
was a minor; in other words, we found and guaranteed 
a Kegency. In this there was no innovation. We did 
no't find an hereditary Regent. That was an anomaly in 
politics which we ourselves created. It was that which ! 
rendered the arrangement which we guaranteed as above 
designated “ radically vicious.” Tor the attainment of any 
objects of our own, the conditions of the Supplementary ; 
Article were unnecessary. Our object was accomplished 
by the stipulations of the Treaty itself, nor was any stipula¬ 
tion necessary for the stability of Zalim Sing’s authority, 
neither was it solicited for that purpose; it was solicited j 
for a purpose the obvious evil and absurdity of which ought ^ 
to have ensured its rejection. ^ 

17. On the death of the Rajah, Omed Sing, at the 
close of 1819, a violent animosity arose between his son ; 
and successor, Kishore Sing and Madhoo Sing, the eldest | 
son of the administrator, Zalim Sing. “ The Rajah seem- I 
ed resolutely bent on stipulating for a share of authority I 
in the State,” not during the life of Zalim Sing, to whose i 
supremacy he willingly submitted, but on the accession of | 
Madhoo Sing to the Administration. To this Zalim Sing 



THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


17 


would not consent. Captain Tod, the Political Agent, 
was informed by a letter from your Secretary, that he 
iwas to allow no compromise between the parties; that our 
obligations, whatever their extent, were due to Zalim 
Sing, and not in the slightest degree to the nominal 
Prince. 

18. An insurrection of part of the Troops soon after 
took place in favor of the Maha Rao against the autho¬ 
rity of Zalim Sing. The Maha Pao fled from Kotah. A 
strong feeling was manifested in his favor throughout 
Rajpootana. He was joined by Troops from all sides. 
He received letters and tenders of assistance from seve¬ 
ral of the Princes and Chiefs of Rajpootana, and also 
from the numerous minor Thakoors throughout the coun¬ 
try. Captain Tod stated that, if he had waited another 
week, his Porce would have amounted to 30,000 men. 

19. The feelings of all the Rajpoot Princes and people 
were evidently on the side of the Maha ,Rao, and it was only 
by our Military Porce that the authority of the Raj Rana 
was on this occasion established over him. 

20. Kishore Sing having refused to disband his fol¬ 
lowers, or to enter into certain stipulations required by 
your Government, preparations were made by Captain Tod 
and Zalim Sing to resist his progress. A battle ensued, in 
which, by the aid of the British Porce, Kishore Sing was 
defeated with great loss; his brother, Perthee Sing, being 
slain in the action. Kishore Sing at length subscribed 
to the stipulations which were again tendered to him, and 
was permitted to return to Kotah. 



18 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


21. These stipulations were, that he should not inter¬ 
fere in the affairs of the State; that those persons who had 
taken part in the revolt should not return to Kotali without 
Zalim Sing’s express permission; and that he should not 
receive or encourage persons who had incurred the just dis¬ 
pleasure of Zalim Sing or his successors. At the same 
time certain stipulations were deemed necessary in favor 
of the Maha Rao. These were, that he should have exclu¬ 
sive control over the Palace ; that he should himself manage 
his personal jagheers; that he should receive the customary 
forms of respect, and preside at public ceremonials; and that 
affixed provision should he granted to him. 

22. Zalim Sing died in 1824, and under a sense of 
the unpopularity throughout Rajpootana, and the manifold 
embarrassments to your Government of the arrangement 
by which it had guaranteed the joint continuance of a dy¬ 
nasty of titular Princes and a dynasty of Regents, your 
predecessors were earnestly desirous that Madhoo Sing 
should resign his pretensions to the administration of Kotah 
on receiving part of the Kotah Territories, which should be 
expressly formed into a small Principality. The districts 
suggested were the four Mehals ceded by Holkar, and which 
the British Government offered at the time to confer on 
Zalim Sing, but which, in conformity to the wishes of that 
Chief, were annexed to the territory of Kotah. 

23. A negotiation was accordingly opened with Ma¬ 
dhoo Sing on this subject; he received the proposal with 
alarm and aversion, declaring that he should be infamous 
throughout Rajpootana if he consented to dismember the 
territories of his Prince: he consented to place the Maha 




THE DISMEMBEllMEXT OF KOTAH. 


19 


lllao’s Establishment on a more liberal footing, and to allow 
I him more of the outward semblance of sovereignty. 

24. Erom this time to tlie present, although the heart¬ 
burnings between the nominal Piince and his nominal 
subject have continued, and are now threatening more and 
more to break out into open violence, no renewal of Civil 
war has yet taken place. 

! 

I 25. Kishore Sing, the Maha Eao, and Madhoo Sing, 
j the Eaj Eana, are both dead. 

I 26. Madhoo Sing has been succeeded by his son. Mud- 
dun Sing; Kishore Sing by his nephew and adopted son. 
Bam Sing. The anomalous system, therefore, which we 
I established at the instance of Zalim Sing has reached the 
third generation, and we are now upholding the grandson 
I of the man to whom our obligations (of whatever nature 
I they might be) were contracted in authority over the grand- 
!son of his legitimate sovereign. 

27. The object of your predecessors was to give to 
Zalim Sing and his heirs for ever the actual efficient ad¬ 
ministration of the country, leaving to Bajah Omed Sing 
and his heirs no more real power over the territory of 
Kotah than had been possessed by the Bajah of Sattarah 
over the territory under the Peshwa. This was understood 
at the time to be merely confirming Omed Sing and 
Zalim Sing in the relative situations in which we found them . 
But it is manifest to us that this was not their true relative 
situation; that Omed Sing, though inert and secluded, was 
the acknowledged sovereign of the country; that his acquies- 


20 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


cence in Zalim Sing’s exercise of authority after he himself 
came of age was originally voluntary on his part; and it is 
not certain that, if he had withdrawn his consent, Zalim 
Sing would have been supported by the country in extorting 
it by force. At all events Zalim Sing had not yet, like the 
Peshwa, secured the transmission of his power to his descen¬ 
dants ; that power was maintained, as it had been created, 
solely by his personal qualities, and would probably have 
terminated with his life if it had not been guaranteed by 
the British Government in the persons of his heirs. At all 
events it is impossible to suppose that, without that guaran¬ 
tee, such a system could have continued till the present time, 
when we see that the present Maha Bao is not only eager 
to establish his supremacy, but is so much superior in spirit 
and energy to the Baj Bana, that the actual ruler is now 
the party who complains of being ill treated and intimidated 
by the titular Prince. It is the British Government, there¬ 
fore, which, by assuming the existence of a state of things 
which a little consideration would have shown not to be 
their true state, did in fact give away to a servant in perpe¬ 
tuity the rights of his sovereign, and thereby created a 
Government such as never existed before, and could not 
exist for any length of time, unless a third party with para¬ 
mount power were constantly enforcing its continuance. 

28. There is now immediate danger of our being again 
called upon either to repeat the invidious and very question¬ 
able proceeding which we adopted in 1820, of sending our 
Troops to wage war upon the legitimate sovereign, supported, 
by the wishes of his people, and to reduce him under the 
authority of a subject whom we have undertaken to main¬ 
tain in supremacy over him, or, departing from that policy, to 



THE DISMEMBEilJIENT OF XOTAH. 


21 




allow the Supplementary xirticle to become a dead letter, 
land suffer the individual whose administration of the country 
we have guaranteed to be set aside. The difficulties of 
either course are so weighty that almost any means by which 
I we could be honorably released from the alternative would 
be desirable. It has with this view occurred to you to 
make the same proposition to Muddun Sing which was made 
to his father, Madhoo Sing, namely, that he should retire 
I from the administration of the Kotah State, receiving for 
i himself and his descendants the sovereignty of the four 
iMehals ceded by Holkar and offered by the British Grovern- 
ment to Zalim Sing; and your last advices inform us that 
you have authorised the Political Agent, Major Boss, to 
make this proposition to the Raj Bana. But we cannot 
entertain any very sanguine hopes that Muddun Sing will 
voluntarily accept such a proposal so long as he entertains 
the hope of being enabled, by the continuance of your sup¬ 
port, to retain his present position in Kotah. In the event 
of his rejecting this overture, you directed Major Boss to 
inform him that against an insurrection headed by the Maha 
Bao, and having for its sole purpose to establish that Prince 
in the Government, you were bound by Treaty to protect 
the Baj Bana, but not against any rebellion or resistance 
to his authority arising from dissatisfaction with his admi¬ 
nistration and provoked by its defects. 

29. It is your expectation that when this intimation 
is made to the Baj Bana, he will either express his willing¬ 
ness to govern according to your advice and will solicit your 
active interference in his administration, or will, on the other 
hand, assert his ability to maintain himself without your 
support. In the latter case you have it in contemplation 






2-Z 


CORRESPONDENCE REIATING TO 


to Avithdraw the Political Agent, whose presence at Kotah is 
conceived to give the countenance of the British Government 
to the Baj Bana, and thenceforth to abstain from all inter¬ 
ference in the affairs of Kotah not positively enjoined by 
Treaty. But if the Baj Bana should express willingness to 
be guided by your advice, and to place a considerable part of 
the Military resources of the State under the command of 
British Odioers, you are prepared to consider whether any 
arrangement for conducting the affairs of Kotah on this 
footing can he devised, although you consider such an 
arrangement by no means desirable. To us it appears not 
only the reverse of desirable, but liable to unsurmountable 
objections. 

30. The King of Oude is, and has been for nearly 
forty years, bound by actual Treaty to govern according to 
our advice, and to maintain no Troops beyond a certain 
small number in addition to the subsidiary Porce detached 
from the British Army. It is unnecessary to remind you 
that the former stipulation has never been fulfilled, and that 
we, in consequence, have been forced to overlook the infrac¬ 
tion of the latter because we could not give the aid of our 
Troops to a Government whose character and measures we 
thoroughly disapproved. 

31. We can anticipate no better result from any 
arrangement of a similar kind which may be negotiated in 
Kotah, nor can we, with any regard to what is due to the 
Chiefs and people of that State, consent to give increase 
of support or countenance to any Government over which 
we do not exercise an efficient supervision and control; 
but if we are to exercise such control, there Avill be little 



THE D ISM EMBEDMENT OE KOTA 11, 


23 


difference between the measure proposed and the entire 
supersession of the Raj Rana’s administration. 

32. With regard to the course which you have in view 
if the Raj Rana declines your proposal to retire from the 
administration of Kotah, and declares himself able to main¬ 
tain his authority without your aid (that course being to 
withdraw the Political Agent, and henceforth abstain from 
supporting the Raj Rana against any attempts to subvert 
his authority except on the part of the Maha Rao), there 
can be little doubt that, if an insurrection should break 
out, the insurgents will avail themselves of the Maha Rao’s 
name, and will, if possible, place him at their head. In any 
such event much bloodshed may ensue, which would pos¬ 
sibly necessitate our ultimate interference, and which we 
have it in our power to prevent if we can satisfy ourselves 
which of the two contending parties ought to prevail, and 
signify our decision to both. 

33. In our Treaty with Kotah it was expressly declar¬ 
ed that the “Maha Rao and his heirs and successors shall 
remain absolute rulers of the country.” Even in the Supple¬ 
mentary Article, concluded at a subsequent period, guaran¬ 
teeing the entire administration “ of the affairs of the 
Principality” to Zalim Sing’s heirs, Omed Sing and his 
heirs were again recognized as sovereigns of Kotah. We 
are not at present maintaining the Maha Rao as sovereign, 
for a sovereign cannot be under the orders of his own sub¬ 
ject; we are, on the contrary, upholding his subject in 
superseding his rights as a sovereign, 

34. It is true that while we engaged to maintain one 
family as hereditary sovereigns, we bound ourselves equally 


24 


COEUESPONDENCE EELATING TO 


to maintain another as hereditary Regents or Managers : this, 
however, is the reductio ad ahsurdum which vitiates all 
contracts. It is impossible to keep both these engagements. 
We have never attempted to keep them both. We have 
hitherto systematically sacrificed one obligation to the other. 
We have either from the first committed a breach of faith, or 
we should not commit any breach of faith by changing our 
course. It is a principle of the Law of Nations, as it is of 
all law and of common sense, that incompatible or otherwise 
impracticable stipulations are per se void. When two obli¬ 
gations become inconsistent, it is open to the party bound 
by them to consider which of the two courses is the most 
just in itself independently of the engagement; and, if that 
be doubtful, which of the two is the most expedient. We 
have considered both points, and whether we look to justice 
or expediency, the propriety of supporting the Maha Rao in 
preference to the Raj Rana cannot, in our opinion, admit 
of a doubt. He is the rightful sovereign; the sense of the 
country and of all Rajpootana is on his side: we have made 
ourselves unpopular in Rajpootana by superseding him; we 
cannot take a more popular measure than to retrace our 
steps ; and his competitor has been tried and found unequal 
to the administration of the country. 

35. We direct, therefore, that you take such steps as 
may be best adapted to carry into effect these views. If the 
Raj Rana has not accepted your proposition for his retiring 
from the Administration and receiving the four Holkar 
Mehals, the proposition should be repeated; and he should 
be informed that, if he continue to reject it, you will feel 
it your duty to interpose and place the Administration in the 
hands of the Maha Rao. The Mehals should, if it would 


THE DISMEMBERMENT OE KOTAH. 


25 


facilitate the arrangement, remain nominally a depen¬ 
dency of Kotah; but should practically be completely 
independent, and should he secured to Mudden Sing and 
his posterity under our guarantee. The Malm llao would 
then assume the entire powers of Government in the terri¬ 
tory which his family possessed previous to their connection 
with us. 

36. We shall await anxiously your answer to this 
letter, and a narrative of your proceedings in consequence. 

37. Of tlie miscellaneous matters brought to view 
in the paragraphs under reply, the only one which it is 
necessary to notice is the enquiry which you instituted 
respecting the introduction of a supposititious child as heir 
to one of the feudatory Chiefs of Kotah, the Maharaja 
of Unta. The strong interest manifested by the Malm 
Kao in detecting an imposture to which he believed the 
Kaj Rana to he a party made it probable tlmt a great 
increase of their mutual animosity might imve been the 
consequence of your not setting the question at rest l)y 
a deliberate investigation; and this is the circumstance 
which induces us to approve in this particular case of 
a kind of interference which is generally to be avoided, 
for it is obvious that the question of interfering in indi¬ 
vidual cases, and conducting investigations of a domestic 
character by our own Officers, is totally distinct from that 
of giving advice, when solicited, respecting the general 
government of the country, or even tendering it unasked 
when called for by circumstances of a public and notorious 
character. 


4 



26 


CORUESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


Political, 1835. 

Cons., nth May, Nos. 22 & 23. 


Extract from a Despatch to the Hon’ble the Court of Directors, in 
the Political Department, dated the 15th February, No. 5 of 1836. 

Harowtee — Kotali — Boondee. 

Pahaguaph 82.—The Maha Rao of Kotah having 
requested the interposition of the 
Political Agent for obtaining 
from the Raj Rana the means of 
liquidating some demands against His Highness, we concur¬ 
red in the opinion expressed by the Agent in Rajpootana 
that Major Ross had acted judiciously in discovering the 
Maha Rao’s expectation of receiving from the Raj Rana 
the amount which he alleged the price of grain had caused 
him to expend in excess of his established allowance. 


83. On learning this decision, the Maha Rao proposed 
to depute a Vakeel to the Pre- 

Political, 1835. • i i> j i n ■> 

Cons.. 29th Jnno, Nos. 16 to 18. for the pUVpOSe Of advO- 

eating his cause at the seat of 
the Supreme Government, but we concurred with Major 
Alves in thinking that such a step on the part of the Maha 
Rao would be exceedingly objectionable, and we authorized 
the Agent to discourage His Highness from the prosecu¬ 
tion of that object. No Vakeel, we observed, could be 
recognized as the Vakeel of Kotah who was not deputed by 
the Raj Rana as the only Administrator of the State 
acknowledged by Treaty. 


to 


81. Under the circumstances reported in a Despatch 
from Major Alves, dated the 
28th May, we approved the 
instructions issued by that Officer 
Major Ross, directing him to use his influence with 


Political, 1835. 

15th June, Nos. G8 & 69. 


THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


27 


the Raj Rana to remove the embargo, should any exist, on 
grain intended to he exported to the Cantonment of 
Neemuch, levying, of course, the established Export Duty. 

85. We observed, in reply to a communication from the 

Agent in Raipootana, dated the 

Political 1835. ^ r. Tv/r ^ 

Cong.,15thJune, Nos. 70&71. that the rCSUlt of 

the enquiry which Major Ross 
had made, at the instance of the Raj Rana, into a corre¬ 
spondence between the Maha Rao of Kotah and the Rao 
Rajah of Boondee, was creditable to the Maha Rao. 

86. With reference to paragraplis 105 to 107 of our last 

I * general letter regarding the case 

’ Political, 1835. e T • X • ^ 

Cons., 23rd March, Nos. 21 to 23 . ®t Bislicu Sing of Unta, is re¬ 
corded, as per margin, a Despatch 
from the Agent in Rajpootana, containing the final instruc¬ 
tions issued by him to Major Ross relative to the question 
of Bishen Sing’s return to the Kotah Territory, the tenor of 
which received our entire approbation. 


Extract from a Despatch to the HonTle the Court of Directors, in the 
Political Department, No. 10,-dated the 9tli May 1836. 

Harowtee — Kotah — Boondee. 

Paragraph 21.—In continuation of the subject noticed 

Political, 1835. “ paragraph of our last 

Cons., 6th July, Nos. 3 & 4. quarterly general letter. No. 5, 

,, 13th ,, „ 40 & 41. CTQor* • 

ot ibdo, recorded as per margin, 
is a farther correspondence regarding the purchase and 
export of grain from the Kotali Territory for the Canton¬ 
ment of Neemuch. 




28 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


25. We entirely concuiTed in the view taken hy Major 
Alves of the above question. As an abstract principle, it 
appeared to us highly objectionable to interfere with the 
commercial arrangement of the Native States; but consider¬ 
ing the peculiar and insulated position of our Cantonments 
in Rajpootana and the purposes for which those Canton¬ 
ments were located, we had, it was observed, clearly a right 
to demand a participation in the benefits of the remaks of 
the surrounding territories. 

26. The correspondence on our consultation of the 


annexed date relates to the sub¬ 
ject of the mild, but firm, mea¬ 
sures adopted by the Political 


Political, 1835. 
Cons., 6th July, Nos. 8 & 9. 


Agent in Harowtee for the purpose of suppressing the 
embarrassing encroachments made by the Maha E/ao of 
Kotah on the power and authority of the Raj Rana. 

27. We concurred with Major Alves in thinking that 
the line of proceeding adopted by Major Ross on this occa¬ 
sion was judicious, and calculated to bring the titular Prince 
of Kotah to a proper sense of his relative position with res¬ 
pect to the executive ruler of the State. 

28. Tills result has actually occurred, as we learned 


shortly afterwards, that the re¬ 
fugees from the Raj Rana’s ser¬ 
vice, who had been harboured 


Political, 1835. 
Cons., IStii July, No. 39. 


by the Maha Rao, were delivered up, and the usual com¬ 
plimentary intercourse between the Political Agent and 
His Highness, which had been suspended in the interval, 
was renewed. 


THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


29 


29. We entirely approved the instructions issued by the 
Agent in Uajpootana to Major 


Political, 1835. 


Cons., 3rd Aug., Nos. 35 & 36. 


E-oss, arising out of the absence, 
on a recent occasion, of the Eaj 
Eana of Kotah from the Maha Eao’s Durbar. 


Extract from a Despatch to the Hon^ble the Court of Directors, in the 
Political Department, No. 20, dated the 25th July 1836. 

Harowtee — Kotah — Boondee. 

Paraghaph 46.—The correspondence recorded as per 
margin relates to the differences 
existing between the Executive 
Government of Kotah and the 
Chief of Indurgurh, a feudatory 
of that State, as well as to the conduct of the young Chief 
^ of Oonyara. 


Political, 1835. 

I' Cons., 5th Oct., Nos. 45 & 46. 


26th 
2nd Nov. 


14, 14A., & 15. 
46 & 47. 


47. The proposed mediation between the Kotah Go¬ 
vernment and its feudatory, the Chief of Indurgurh, if 
desired by both parties, was, we observed, not only unobjec¬ 
tionable, but in this and in all other similar cases desirable, 
as tending to preserve order and prevent bloodshed and 
confusion. We trusted that the Agent had lost no time in 
requiring the recall from Indurgurh of the succours received 
there from Oonyara, and in causing suitable notice to be 
taken of the miseonduct of the Chief of that place: if the 
succours were sent with his cognizance, sueh conduct, it was 
remarked, if persisted in, or wilfully engaged in with a 
knowledge of the responsibility attached to it, might justly 
cause the estate of any feudatory Chief to be forfeited. 





30 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


48. With reference to a suggestion offered by Lieute¬ 
nant-Colonel Alves, to the effect that Major Koss might he 
permitted to counsel the Raj Rana, whenever the latter 
might pursue an obviously unjust or impolitic course, it was 
stated that we were not aware of any objection to the pro¬ 
posed measure of allowing the executive ruler of the Kotah 
Territory to have the benefit of the judicious advice which 
the present Political Agent was so well qualified to afford 
him. 


49. Recorded as per margin is a letter from the Agent 
in Rajpootana, submitting a 
Political, 18^5. further Report from Major Ross 

Cons., 21st Dec., Nos. 21 & 22. . \ . . -b 

relative to the existing ditterences 
between the State of Kotah and its feudatory of Indurgurh, 
and the question of advising and remonstrating with the 
Raj Rana on occasions of emergency with a view to the 
prevention of misgovernment. 


Political, 1835. 

Cons., 21st December, No. 23. 


50. "We concurred witli Lieutenant-Colonel Alves in 
thinking that the argument con¬ 
tained in the 9 th paragraph of 
Major Ross’s letter was sound, 
and that, considering the peculiar state of our relations with 
Kotah, “ our advice should be more fully given than was 
usual in our intercourse with other Native States, and 
that it might even be carried the length of direct re¬ 
monstrance against, and express discouragement of, 
measures, even of internal government, if these be calculat¬ 
ed to endanger the continuance of a state of tilings Avhich 
we have guaranteed, or to render such guarantee more diffi¬ 
cult and embarrassing to us.” 


THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


31 


61. The Agent was further told that we were not 
aware that advice or remonstrance at Kotah, when tending 
jto preserve tranquillity in that peculiar state of affairs 
[which exists there under our guarantee, had ever been pro¬ 
hibited or discouraged ; but, if any misapprehension on that 
subject had existed, it was proper that it should be removed. 
It must be the duty of the Agent at Kotah to advise the 
Kaj Rana with regard to any proceedings which were likely 
either to embroil him with the Maha Rao or to excite dis¬ 
content against administration. As the Raj Rana could not 
stand without our support, it was indispensable that he 
should be controlled by our advice. We could not profess 
non-interference in a state of things which exists solely in 
consequence of our interference. 

f 

52. The Agent in Rajpootana subsequently submitted 

I a copy of a Despatch from the 

' Co.,., 28" N„“ 26 ^ 27. Harowtee, des- 

cribing the ill-paid and turbu¬ 
lent state of the Kotah Army, and recommending that a 
body of Troops be raised, commanded and paid by an 
European Officer. 

53. The circumstances detailed in the above com¬ 
munication attracted the most serious attention of the 
Government, and required that a remedy should be applied 
to a state of affairs so discreditable to the Kotah Admi¬ 
nistration. 

64. If the present Raj Rana should desire the or¬ 
ganization of a Contingent on the footing proposed by the 
Political Agent, we stated that we were disposed to sanction 




32 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


that arrangement, and Major Ross was authorized to 
suggest it as advantageous to the Raj Rana’s interests; 
but the consent of that personage to its adoption must he 
entirely free and unbiassed, and the measure was not to be 
urged as one of our seeking. 

55. Under any circumstances, however, we were enti¬ 
tled by the peculiarity of our position at Kotah to remon¬ 
strate with the ruling Authority of the State should mis- 
government prevail to such an extent as to threaten the 
integrity of the arrangement which we liad guaranteed. The 
circumstances described by Major Ross, we observed, were 
such as to warrant and require that we should exercise the 
right of remonstrance, and that Othcer was autliorized to 
enter at once into serious discussion with the Raj Rana 
on the existing posture of affairs. 

56. The executive ruler of the State was to be distinctly 
apprized that he must pay up the arrears of his Troops, 
and disband such as he could not provide the means of 
paying punctually in future; and we stated that he might be 
given to understand that, in the event of his inability 
to perform the duties of a ruler (among which one of the 
most important was the proper management of the public 
resources), our obligation to maintain him in the conduct 
of public affairs to the exclusion of his titular sovereign 
would cease. 

57. After reviewing the circumstances under which 
the Treaty with Kotah was concluded, and the state ol 
things which must necessarily involve us in perpetual 
embarrassment, we proceeded to remark that, if the Raj 




THE DISMEMBERMENT OE KOTAH. 


83 


Hana conducted liis Administration well, we were lioiind to 
jmaintain him ; but that our obligation could not be construed 
to extend to supporting him in maladministration. We 
desired that this condition of our guarantee might be 
explained to him; the course which it was determined to 
; pursue for the present was to advise the E-aj liana whenever 
jadvice might be necessary, and especially to insist on the 
regular payment of the Army, a measure indispensable for 
the stability of his Administration. 

j 58. If eventually the Eaj Eana should not be able to 
conduct his Administration with efficiency, there was the 
resource available of his retiring, as was once before contem¬ 
plated, to the districts granted by the Britisli Government 
to his grandfather, Zalim Sing, as a reward for his co-opera¬ 
tion in 1817 and 1818. lie might there exercise a petty 
sovereignty under our protection, leaving Kotah to the rule 
of the descendant of its former Princes. 

69. If this arrangement, we observed, could be etfected 
to the satisfaction of all parties, we should be relieved from 
the burden of a guarantee which, as long as it subsisted in 
its present state, could not fail to be productive of endless 
embarrassment. 

60. The instructions addressed to the Agent on this 
Political, 1835. occasion, of which the substance 

Cons., 28tii December, No. 28. has bccn given in the preceding 

paragraphs, are recorded on our consultation of the annexed 
date. 


iff 


5 



34 


CORllESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


64. The Agent in llajpootana having submitted a Des¬ 


patch from the Political Agent 
in Harowtee, describing the un- 
courteous conduct of the Maha 
Rao to the Raj Rana at the past 


Political, 1835. 

Cons., 2nd Nov., Nos. 48 to 50. 
„ 30th „ No. 25. 


Dusserah, we entirely concurred in the opinion expressed by 
Lieutenant-Colonel Alves to the effect that the Maha Rao 
should be informed that the Raj Rana would again attend 
His Highness when he felt secure of an honorable and a 
courteous reception, whicli impression on his mind it belonged 
solely to the Maha Rao and his Officers to produce. 

65. The Agent was requested to issue the necessary 
instructions to Major P^oss accordingly. 

66. We sanctioned the proposed deputation of one of 

Political, 1835 . the Assistants of the Agent in 

Cons., 9th November, Nos. 21 to 22A. Rajpootaua to accompauy the 
Maha Rao of Kotah on his journey to Jessulmere, whither 
he was desirous of proceeding for the solemnization of his 
nuptials. 

67. In answer to a Despatch from Lieutenant-Colonel 


Alves, submitting a correspon- 


Political, 1835. 


Cons., 14th December, Nos. 43 & 44. deucc witli the Political As'cnt 

o 

in Harowtee relative to the formal announcement of the 
pregnancy of the Ranee of IJnta, it was stated that we were 
not aware of the necessity or expediency of adopting any 
further measures on this occasion. 




THE mSMEMBERBlENT OF KOTAH. 


35 


jliiXtiact from a Despatch to the Ilon^ble the Court of Directors, in the 

Political Department, No. 25, dated the 20th September 1836. 

I Paragraph 48.—The unsatisfactory administration of 
jtlie affairs of Kotali, and the course which we determined to 
ipursue for regulating our future conduct in relation to that 
State, were fully brought to the notice of your Ilon’ble 
Court in paragraph 46 to 60 of our last quarterly letter, 
jNo. 20, of 1836. 

49. The proceedings adopted by the Political Agent in 
jHarowtee in execution of the instructions which had been 
jissued for his guidance on the above occasion received 
our entire approbation. 

50. It appeared from the Reports of those proceedings 


that the Raj Rana had received 
with every proper feeling the 
injunctions which had been con¬ 
veyed to him on the subject of 


Political, 1836. 

Cons., 8tli Feb., Nos. 56 to 58. 


15 th 
29th 


31 to 33. 
21 & 22 . 


reformed system of administration, and had promised to 
make arrangements for paying up the Troops of the Kotah 
State to a certain period, with a view to prevent a relapse 
into the former state of things. We concurred in the 
expediency of making, as suggested by Major Ross, an inti¬ 
mation to tlie Raj Rana, that, if at any time hereafter tlie 
payment of the Kotah Army should be suffered to fall 
in arrear beyond the limited time, he shall be considered to 
have failed in one of the obligations, on the due fulfilment of 
[which our guarantee of his authority is considered to be 
conditional. 

51. With reference to a suggestion offered by Major 
Ross, and recommended by Lieutenant-Colonel Alves, to the 







CORRESPONDENCE REI.ATING TO 


y() 

effect tliat, if the efforts of the Political Agent Avere ineffec¬ 
tual in inducing the Raj Rana to pursue a more proper and 
just line of conduct than that hitherto observed by him, the 
Governor General should address a direct communication to 
that personage on the subject, Ave stated that the expe¬ 
diency of making such a communication, Avhich it AAms not i 
generally desirable to regard as necessary for the efficient ; 
management of our relations Avith protected States, Avould 
be considered hereafter should the other measures Avhich 
had been adopted fail in producing an improved system of 
administration at Kotah. 


Copy of a Despatch'to the Hoidble the Court of Directors of the East i 
India Company, in the Political Department, No, 32, dated the ll-th j 
November 1836. i 

In continuation of the summary of our correspondence 
regarding the affairs of the Kotah Principality, comprised in 
our recent quarterly general letters of the dates and num- 

No. 20, dated 25th Jaly 1836. ^^rs cited ill the margin, Ave 

„ 2o, „ 26th Sept. „ have now the honor of trans¬ 

mitting, for the information of your Hon’ble Court, copies 
of a Despatch from the Lieutenant-Governor of the North- 
Western Provinces, dated the 4th October, No, 1, of 1836, 
and of the reply to that communication, containing a further 
exposition of our vieAvs and intentions relative to the State 
of Kotah. 






THE DISMEMBERME^^T OE KOTAH. 


37 


Extract from a Despatch to the Hoii’ble the Court of Directors, in the 
Political Department, No. 33, dated the 28th November 1836. 

llarowtee — Kotah, ^'c. 

Paragraph 49. —It appearing from the Diary of the 
llajpootana Agency that an 
individual, calling himself Sheo 
Lall, and stating himself to have 
been hurkara in the service of the Kotah State, had been 
cruelly mutilated by the Thakoor of Berwula in Jyepore 
while conveying letters for the Agent from the Raj Rana 
and the PoliticaPAgent at Kotah, Lieutenant-Colonel Alves 
Avas desired to report whether any and what notice was 
taken of the occurrence in question. 


Political, 1836. 
Cons., 2Sth March, No. 
„ 23rd May, „ 


42. 

104. 


50. Prom the reply received to the above reference it 
appeared that Major Ross, under the instructions of Lieute¬ 
nant-Colonel Alves, had made the necessary enquiries on the 
subject, the result of which Aims that nothing Avas knoAvn at 
Kotah of the individual in question, and that no such person 
Avas ever dispatched from that place Avith letters as stated 
by Sheo Lall. The first part of this person’s story AA^as thus 
proved to he unfounded in fact, a circumstance which 
strengthened the suspicion previously entertained by Lieute¬ 
nant-Colonel Alves that the man Avas punished by mutilation 
for some crime committed in Berwula or elsewhere. 


51. Under these circumstances, the matter did not 
appear to us to call for further notice. 

52. The correspondence referred to in the margin 

PoKjim!, 183 ( 5 . relates principally to the subject 

Cons., 2otii June, Nos. 65 & 66. of tlic Understanding which exists 
between the Raj Rana and the Chief of Indergurh. 


38 


CORHESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


53. The instructions issued under the authority of the' 

Lieutenant-Governor on the occasion were to the effect that 
the Minister of the Kotah State should he continually told; 
that our support of him must depend on good government 
on his part; that our Treaty was with the State of Kotah, ; 
not with the Raj Rana solely; and that, although we were; 
desirous that every part of the Treaty should be strictly | 
maintained, we were not bound to uphold the Raj Rana inj 
maladministration. j 

54. In the propriety of the above instructions we; 

entirely concurred, and we stated our opinion that the most : 
solemn and repeated warnings should be conveyed to i 
the Raj Rana before the extreme measure was resorted to 
of withdrawing our countenance from him altogether. ; 


55. It was gratifying to us to learn from a subsequent ; 

Political, 183 Q. communication that the Raj' 

Cons., 27th June, Nos. 20 & 21 . Rana had adopted a more 

gracious and amicable deportment towards the Chief of 
Indergurh, and that a hope was entertained of the adjust- , 
ment of their differences. 

56. We observed on this occasion tliat we had now 
every reason to expect that, under the able superintendence 
of the Local Officers and the judicious instructions of the 
Lieutenant-Governor, the administration of the Kotah 
Principality would shortly be placed upon a more satisfac¬ 
tory footing than had obtained for many years past. 



THE DISMEMBERMENT OE KOTAH. 


39 


From W. IJ. Macnagiiten, Esq., Secretary to Government of India, 
Secret Department, with the Governor General, to H. T. Prinsep, 
Esq., OlFiciating- Secretary to Government of India, Political Depart¬ 
ment, Fort William,— (dated Camp Jellalahad, the 15th January 
1838.) 

I AM directed by the Eight Hon’ble the Governor 
General of India to forward to you the accompanying Des¬ 
patch from the Hon’ble tlie Court of Directors, dated the 
18th October, No. 24, of 1837, and refer you to the recent 
instructions issued to the Hon’ble the Lieutenant-Governor, 
under date the 15th November last. 

2. I am directed to add that the Governor General 
does not deem it necessary to take any steps with reference 
to the course of proceedings indicated in the Court’s Des¬ 
patch until the result of the communication already direct¬ 
ed to be made to the Raj Rana shall be ascertained; but 
that, in the mean time, it will be gratifying to His Lordship 
to be favored with the sentiments of the President in Coun¬ 
cil upon the whole question. 


From Lieutenant-Colonel N. Alves, Agent, Governor General, Rajpoot- 
ana, to H. T. Prinsep, Esq., Secretary to Government of India, 
Political Department, Fort William,— (dated Camp Kotah, the 22nd 
February 1838.) 

I HAVE the honor to forward herewith duplicate of my 
Despatch of the 20th instant, in the Secret Department, to 
the address of Mr. Secretary Macnaghten, together with 
copies of its enclosures, for the information of the Hon’ble 
the President in Council. 



40 


coerespondence relating to 


Fram Lieutenant-Colonel N. Alves, Agent, Governor General, Rajpoot- 
aua, to W. H. Macnaghfen, Esq,., Secretary to Government of 
India, Secret Department, with the Governor General,— (dated Camp 
Kotah, the 20th February 1838.) 

On receiving Mr. Officiating Secretary Hamilton’s 
letter of the 13tli December last, with its enclosures, I 
addressed the Officiating Political Agent at Kotah on the 2nd 
ultimo, and was duly favored with that Officer’s reply of 
the 7th instant. I append copies of these communications 
and enclosures, together with the reply of the Haj Kana of 
Kotah to the khureeta of the Right Hon’ble the Governor 
General of India, and translation of his answer to mine. 

2. Prom these documents it may be gathered that 
Raj Rana Muddun Sing has agreed to accept a separate 
Prineipality for himself and heirs in perpetuity from the 
territories of the Kotah State, leaving the amount in a great 
degree to the liberal consideration of the Government of 
India. 

3. The most important point for immediate considera¬ 
tion and decision is the principle of descent to the Raj 
Rana’s posterity; and I accordingly lose no time in bringing 
the subject in all its bearings to His Lordship’s notice. 

4. “ Lineal male descent” is prescribed in Mr. Hainil- 
ton’s letter : now the P^aj Rana has only one legitimate son, 
and may have no more; and were this only legitimate son 
to die without male issue, and inheritance not to descend 
either in collateral branehes of the family or through 
adoption, the Raj Rana’s family Avould be briefly extin¬ 
guished as one of consequence in Rajwarra, and the re¬ 
maining members of it reduced to comparative, if not 


THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


41 


actual, indigence. Were there grounds, therefore, for confin¬ 
ing the inheritance of the proposed Principality to direct 
and legitimate male descent, I am of opinion that either 
the reversion of the Chou-Mehla should be sacrificed by the 
British Government for the eventual respectable support 
of the family (to whom these four pergunnahs were abso¬ 
lutely given) in the case of failure of direct male issue, 
or that a handsome provision should he made for them 
from the Kotah State. 

5. My own opinion, however, decidedly is, that, as the 
head of a new State, the Baj Rana should be placed exactly 
on the same footing with all other rulers in Rajpootana, 
his possessions descending to his nearest heirs or by adoption. 

6. I do not advocate this principle, simply because 
he will become the actual head of a petty State, in place 
of being the guaranteed Executive Minister of a much larger 
one, and because he deserves consideration for agreeing to 
make what must be viewed as a great and substantial 
sacrifice, though these are strong arguments in its favor; 
hut because the ministeral office of the late Raj Rana, Zalim 
Sing, and his descendants was made by a solemn act of 
Treaty as perpetual as the abstract right of sovereignty 
in the Maha Rao’s family, and liable to the same rules 
of succession with the Principality of Kotah itself. Now, 
this last succession has already gone out of the direct line, 
from the late Maha Rao, Kishore Singh, having no legitimate 
male issue, which led to the adoption of Ram Sing, the son 


* Pirthee Sing was a younger 
brother of the last Maha Rao, Kishore 
Sing, and was killed in the action 
at Mungrole in 1821 . 


of Pirthee* Sing, who now sits 
on the guddee. I append copies, 
in English and Persian, of the 


6 


42 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


Supplementary Article of the Kotah Treaty, dated in 
February 1818, wliicli will exhibit in a clear point of view 
the accuracy of what 1 have stated. 

7. Now, although it might, perhaps, be argued that 
the words in our Treaties generally might be interpreted 
as binding us only to succession in lineal descent, such is 
certainly neither their real purport, nor that which is 
understood and acted upon. Raj Rana Zalim Sing made 
as strictly worded a clause for his nominal Prince in this 
respect as, I think, will be found to exist in any other 
Treaty with the British Government of India; and had its 
purport been doubtful, Zalim Sing would have required it to 
be defined: but no doubt existed that the object was solely 
to effect the succession to the Maha Rao’s descendants 
agreeably to Rajpoot usage. In making that agreement 
for his Prince, Zalim Sing secured the same right to his own 


family in the Executive Admi¬ 
nistration, believing, no doubt, 
that he had rendered the office 
perpetual by adoption or collate¬ 
ral descent, as well as by succes- 


Note. —In short, Zalim Sing perpe¬ 
tuated by Treaty the real (though not 
the nominal) sovereignty of the Kotah 
State in his own family, as much as if 
the Treaty had been made in his own 
name. 


sion to lineal male descendants. 

8. Such being the view I have taken of this question, 
I have thought it proper to explain my reasons at some 
length, as the point is one of very great importance. Cap¬ 
tain Ludlow views it in the same light, and I need only 
add that I am of opinion that, even if we could have 
restricted the administrative office to lineal male descent 
in the Raj Rana’s family, it would now be politic and fair to 
establish the succession to his proposed Principality on 


THE DISMEMBERMENT OE KOTAH. 


45 


a lower scale than could otherwise be done,—a point of im- 
jportance with reference to its perpetuity. 

I 12. Some diflPerence will be found in the Haj E-ana’s 
iquotation of His Lordship’s letter and my own from the 
factual contents of these documents; but this circumstance 
land the general wording of his replies are probably intended 
|to evince his aversion to allowing that he is less capable 
pf rule than his abler progenitors, or that the compromise 
ijgoes with his inclination; perhaps also to reserve the ex¬ 
pression of his wish for a further trial as executive ruler, 
las has just been done. 

I 13. I hope to be favored with early instructions from 
His Lordship relative to the question of inheritance. The 
future style and titles of the Eaj Eana can be fixed at any 
convenient time; but as the first question may be considered 
to be an essential preliminary to the arrangement, I shall 
be anxious to receive a decision upon it. 

14. If all things promise well for the early final 
adjustment of this important matter, perhaps it may be 
deemed right to obtain the Maha Eao’s written assent to 
whatever arrangement shall be made, so as to obviate all 
future demur either by himself or successors. Though His 
Highness has no actual power over any question affecting 
the territories over which he is only nominal sovereign, still 
he may be considered to have the right of choice between 
the existing state of things (which is the worst possible 
for him) and such an arrangement as the paramount power 
may compass in view to enhancing his dignity, comfort, and 
power as a Eajpoot Chief; and for this reason His Highness’s 
assent may be taken with propriety and effect. 





46 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


ABSTRACT. 

The Agent to the Governor General forwards copies* 
of correspondence upon the question of a separate Princi¬ 
pality for the Raj Rana of Kotah; intimates the progress • 
of the negotiation carried on with that view; requests 
instructions relative to the principle of inheritance to such a' 
Principality, on which subject Lieutenant-Colonel Alves gives j 
his own opinions at some length; and notices a few minor 
matters connected with the contemplated arrangement. 


Enclosures. 

From Lieutenant-Colonel N. Alves, Agent, Governor General,' 
Rajpootana, to Captain Ludlow, Officiating Political Agent,' 
Kotah,— (dated Camp Baudurwara, the 2nd January 1838.) 

I HAVE now the honor to transmit, for delivery to the 
Raj Rana of Xotah, a letter from the Governor General ofj 
India and another from the Lieutenant-Governor of thel 
North-Western Provinces, in reply to his communications onl 
the subject of the affairs of the Kotah Principality ; andlj 
for your own information and guidance copy of Mr. Officiat-lj 
ing Secretary Hamilton’s Despatch of the 13th ultimo, in | 
the Secret Department, and its accompaniments: I alsoi 
enclose a communication from myself for the Raj Rana,'^j 
which, I have to beg, may be delivered with the other two 
to his address above referred to : a translation of my com- ' 
munication is appended for your information. | 

I 

2. Without unduly pressing upon the Raj Rana’s 
attention the subject of a separate Principality for himsehi 





THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


43 


the same footing with all others in Rajwarra, considering 
the magnitude of the sacrifice to he made in accepting it 
and the difficulties and embarrassments overcome by the 
contemplated measure. 

9. Captain Ludlow’s proceedings towards bringing the 
jRaj Rana to a decision will, I hope, be entirely approved of. 
I should have sooner forwarded that Officer’s Report with 
■ enclosures, but, after having examined the provisions of the 
jKotah Treaty, I thought it would be satisfactory to see the 
jRaj Rana myself before doing so. I had accordingly an 
j opportunity of speaking a few words to him in private 
yesterday in presence of Govurdhun Dass (his uncle), a 
! confidential servant, and Captain Ludlow. I expressed my- 
j self gratified by the resolution he had come to, as appeared 
[ from Captain Ludlow’s Report and his communication to 
i the Governor General of India and myself; and, with respect 
[ to the points on which he had displayed anxiety, viz., the 
[principle of succession and additional style and titles on 
j his becoming the head of a separate Raj, I said I would 
I write without delay to higher Authority, and at the same 
i time endeavoured to impress him with the sentiment that 
his own name would be raised, and the substantial interests 
: of his family, perhaps, improved by the proposed arrange- 
i ment, which would enroll him among the rulers of this 
part of India, while so much benefit was to accrue at the 
same time to his Prince, the Maha Rao, and the British 
Government be relieved from an embarrassing position. The 
expression of these sentiments seemed to have a favorable 
effect upon the Raj Rana, who spoke a very few words; 
but in fact drew forward Govurdhun Dass to express what 



44 


COREESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


was to be said on the occasion: and I am happy to say 
that both seemed resolved to trust to the British Govern-, 
ment for Ml justice being done to the Baj Bana in all 


* Note. —Since this paragraph was 
written, a Deputation of two of the 
Raj Rana’s servants, accompanied by 
his Vakeel, Punna Lai, waited on me 
and actually made this proposition. 
I recapitulated a few of the reasons 
for the proposed change, and added 
that the Raj Rana had already writ¬ 
ten to the Governor General and 
myself; and that, if he desired to 
express anything of a counter ten¬ 
dency to the contents of his letters, 
I wished to hear it from his own 
mouth, or to receive it in writing. 
The subject was by no means pressed 
by the Deputation, who did not deli¬ 
ver to me a khureeta, which Captain 
Ludlow informs me they had for 
delivery at their visit. 


respects in the new arrange¬ 
ment. I was the more gratified, 
because the Baj Bana, who has 
no fixed opinion upon almost any 
subject, and who is easily swayed 
by those around him, had, I was 
credibly informed, been persuad¬ 
ed to attempt to induce me to 
recommend that he should have 
a further triaP in his office of 
difficulty for some years. 


10. Pending a reply to this communication. Captain 
Ludlow and myself are busied in gaining detailed information 
of the value of all the districts within the Kotah Territory, 
determining their position, &c., for the purpose of proposing 
in specific terms what may appear to us a proper division 
between the Maha Bao and the Baj Bana. 


11. As the State is in debt, and no treasure is to be 
heard of, much less found, I consider that it will be neces¬ 
sary to saddle the Kotah Baj with all public debts, with 
the exception of the arrears due to such portion of the 
Troops or public Officers of the Government as the Baj 
Bana may carry with him into service in his new Principa¬ 
lity. The throwing of all public claims of debt, tribute, 
&c., upon the Maha Bao’s future Government will allow of 
our fixing their intended provision for the Baj Bana on 


THE DISMEMBERMENT OE KOTAH. 


47 


and lineal male descendants, I trust that you may find him 
lin the mind to renew the discussion of the question freely 
jand confidentially with you. In that event, and in this 
jalso of his appearing to sincerely think of accepting the offer, 
ijyou can make known to him that as much as one-third of 
■the present Kotah Territories would be assigned to him and 
|his lineal descendants : it would not be politic to allow the 
|Raj Rana to know that the Government of India is prepared 
[to sanction as much as three-eighths as a separate provision; 
jand the intimation I have suggested should only be made 

I if he shall seem to be not decidedly averse to entertaining 
the proposition, and for the purpose of fixing his wavering 
inclinations on the subject. It is possible, though far from 
j’probable, that the sentiments of the Governor General may 
make a strong impression on the Raj Rana’s mind, and 
facilitate the negotiation in a manner to render ^even this 
communication unnecessary, and to enable you to fix with 
him a territorial provision, amounting to Rupees 10 or 12 
lakhs per annum, without specifying one-third of the whole 
Kotah Territories. 

3. Your acquaintance with what has already passed 
on this important subject, and the experience you will have 
acquired by this time of the temper and feelings of the Raj 
Rana, will guide you with respect to the time and manner 
of again drawing his attention seriously to it; and I need 
only add here, that, should you think my presence at Kotah 
likely to be useful in furthering the negotiation, or should 
the Raj Rana express a desire to see me, as he has before 
done, I should endeavour to visit Kotah and Boondee in the 
course of my present tour. 







48 


COEEESPONDENCE EELATING TO 


Khureeta from Lieutenant-Colonel Alves, to the Raj Rana of Kotah, 
— (dated Camp Bandurwara, the 2nd January 1838.) 

Along with this you will receive from Captain Ludlow 
a letter from the Light Hon’ble the Governor General 
of India, and another from the Hoo’ble the Lieutenant- 
Governor of the North-Western Provinces, in reply to your 
communications forwarded through Captain Trevelyan and 
myself on the subject of the affairs of Kotah. My friend, 
I feel confident that you will fully understand and deeply 
reflect upon their contents, and I hope also that you will 
freely communicate to Captain Ludlow all your sentiments ' 
without reserve; while that Officer, who is well acquainted' 
with what passed between you and Captain Trevelyan, as 
well as with the conversation I had with your Vakeel not 
very long ago, will give you his best advice in an unreserved 
and friendly manner; to that gentleman I refer you for ; 
further information of my own sentiments. j 


Prom Captain J. Ludlow, Officiating Political Agent, Harowtee, to 

Lieutenant-Colonel Alves, Agent to Governor General for the. 

States of Rajpootana,— (dated the 7th February 1838.) 

Your letter of the 2nd ultimo, with its enclosures, 
reached me on the 7th idem, and llaj Lana Muddun Sing 
and his son, attended by Punna Lai, Vakeel, visited me on i 
the 9th for the purpose of receiving the khureetas and 
ascertaining their contents. 

Luring our first conference, which was strictly private, 
little was elicited beyond what has already been reported in 
Captain Trevelyan’s communication of the 31st of July last 





THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


49 


bn Kotah. affairs; and I shall, I trust, he readily forgiven 
for not undertaking the task of reiterating assertions ad¬ 
vanced and the several arguments by which they were 
bombated or refuted : hut it is my pleasing duty thus early 
lo record the often-repeated avowal by Muddun Sing that 
he would adopt whatever counsel might emanate from the 
^Supreme Authority, to which he owed all obedience, and by 
whose friendly feeling towards him he should be shielded 
from a compromise of his interests, dignity, or welfare. 

; 3. Having explained the general tenor of your letter 

jjf instructions, above adverted to, as far as it appeared 
jdesirahle that it should be imparted at the present stage of 
the discussion, I entreated the Haj Hana, in friendly hut 
earnest terms, to call to liis Councils such persons alone 
who have his interests most sincerely at heart, and to reflect 
seriously upon the advantages of the proposal now tendered 
to him, the acceptance of which, I argued, must effectually 
remove the elements of discord and collision existing in his 
present difficult position, and place him in an honorable 
independence, which could not fail to be conducive to his 
future contentment and happiness. 

4s. Our next interview took place, on the 13th ultimo, 
at the Paegah, where the discussion was renewed in presence 
only of Punna Lai in one of the private apartments. The 
Haj Lana adopted his former arguments, and at length 
pressed me to display my friendly feeling towards him by 
explaining away the unfavorable impressions which the 
representations of former Agents had cast upon him, the 
result, as he urged, of a review having been taken of the 
acts of his predecessors, for which he was in no way respon- 

7 





50 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


sible. He pleaded that he could only in fairness suffer; 
reproach, which might attach to defective Government since] 
liis assumption of the Executive Office; and that the state 
of things during his administration differed in no essential 
particulars from what had existed since the time of Zalim 
Sing. 


* 20 days’ pay in every month, 
t 10 days’ pay in every month. 


5. These assertions were combated by allusion to the 
most defective features in the Government of Kotah; to the 
Eaj E/ana’s severity towards the Hara Chiefs, whose jagheersj 
had been unjustly confiscated; to the constant practice of 
exacting forced contributions; to the existing disorganization 
and inefficiency of the troops, who are in arrears about 

five months’ “ Chitta”* and 
three years’ “ Hessab ; ” f to 
the constant distressing differ^! 
ences arising from animosity subsisting between him¬ 
self and his Prince; and to the growing unpopularity 
of his administration. Occasion was here taken to allude 
to the relative positions of himself and his highly-giftedi 
grandfather, and the inference was drawn that his own; 
was one of extreme, if not insuperable, difficulty, and of 
consequent embarrassment to the British Government, which, 
far from acting precipitately, had admitted of a fair and 
patient trial, and had at length come to the decision that a 
further continuance of the existing state of things would be 
an unjustifiable support of an unpopular and defective Ad-< 
ministration. 


6. The advantages which would accrue from the ac¬ 
ceptance of a separate Principality were again urged upoEi^ 
the Raj Rana’s attention, but he objected that, by an appro-* 




THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


51 


|[)riation of the possessions of his liege, he must suffer re¬ 
broach in the eyes of the world. He took occasion, however, 
p remark that one-half of the Kotah State had been offered 
s:o his father, Madhoo Sing, by Political Agent Caulfield, 
but appeared dissatisfied with that part of the renewed pro- 
ipsition which provides that, in default of lineal male des- 
ipndants, the portion of territory granted to Zalim Sing 
jvould revert (in the event of the acceptance of a separate 
principality) to the British Government, while that which 
j|night he obtained from the Maha Bao would lapse to the 
^tate of Kotah. 

: 7. On enquiry being made by the Vakeel whether 

Iwenty-five lakhs of territory would not he granted, I re- 
ninded him of the amounts proposed by Colonel Caulfield 
md Captain Trevelyan having fallen far short of the half of 
:hat sum; and that, though a separate Principality yielding 
ien lakhs of Bupees had been named by the latter Officer, 
unds to the extent of twelve lakhs per annum might pro¬ 
bably he granted. 

: 8. I now urged the Baj Bana not to press any unrea¬ 

sonable demand which might be construed into a rejection 
bf the proposal, assuring him of my desire not to bring 
natters to a hasty decision, but to afford time for mature 
md deliberate reflection upon the important subject. I 
suggested, however, that by embracing the proposed terms 
he might anticipate any liberal consideration in the minor 
arrangements connected with the transfer, which could have 
effect consistently with fairness towards the Maha Bao. 
This was very cordially acknowledged, and I was about to take 
leave, when Punna Lai remarked that the Baj Bana would 





52 


COKRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


not object to pay a large amount of tribute upon the 
allotted Principality in proportion to its extent; which ob¬ 
servation was of course repelled by expatiating upon the^ 
disinterested motives of Government in interposing for the 
happiness and welfare of the several relations of the Kotah j 
State by altering the anomalous state of things which at 
present exists. 

9. Punna Lai has been in daily attendance at the 

Agency, and the tendency of his communications has been 
from the first of an encouraging nature : the 20th, the 21st, 
and the 22nd were respectively named by the Paj Pana for 
continuing the conference at the Agency Bungalow, but 
deferred by postponements till the day last named. i 

10. In the KotaJi TJkhbar of the 20th ultimo it was} 
reported that the Paj Pana had admitted Bhyroobuksh, Buk- 1 
shee, Goverdhun Bass, Lalla Chundur Bhaun, Bohra Kames-J 
hur, Baun Mul Seth, and Punna Lai to his Councils; that the ,i 
debate was private and lasted three hours, during which a^ 
draft of a khureeta was prepared. On the following morning’ii 
the draft of a letter to His Excellency the Governor General, i 
couched in ambiguous phrase, but implying that greater con-| 
sideration ought to be extended to the Paj Pana than to the 
Maha Pao, was brought to me by Punna Lai, with a re-' 
quest from his master that I would express my opinion as to | 
the propriety of its tenor. I sent back word that I had I 
merely to convey the sentiments of Government and to offer | 
such friendly advice as I considered likely to promote the i 
Paj Pana’s interests and welfare; hut that, should the terms! 
expressed be interpreted as pleading for the possession of( 
half the Kotah State, they might be regarded by Govern- 1 
ment as an implied rejection of the proposition. 






THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


53 


, 11. On the 22nd the Haj Kana was attended by his 

jnncle, Goverdhun Dass and Punna Lai, and after a few words 
; of prefatory discourse we retired into a private apartment, 
where the Executive Administrator desired Goverdhun Dass 
; to draw near and declare the decision which had been finally 
arrived at. This active-minded man, grown sage in the 
I school of adversity, alluded to by-gone events (without 
j! particularizing them) as illustrating the fact that all things 
i must yield to the fiat of the British Government. He re- 
: marked—“ What is life to me now; it is fast upon the wane : 
I am able to advise, and I have advocated the acceptance of 
j the proffered terms.” Here the Baj Bana clasped my hand 
I and appeared cheerful and happy, as though his mind had 
been relieved by a final decision of the important question. 

[: 

I * * * ^ * 

I 

j 13. In reply to my enquiry, the Baj Bana informed 
J me that he would prefer the designation which he at present 
holds to that of Raja^ hut added that he hoped Government 
I would, on his becoming an independent Chief, honor him 
i with additional distinction of style, by which he would derive 
I respect and consideration among the Princes of Bajwarra. 

I 

I 14. He now alluded to the heavy arrears due to the 
I troops, and also to sums owing to Sahookars, amounting 
together to about Bupees 20,00,000, and said that, as this 
sum could not he raised within a short period, some indul¬ 
gence must be extended to him for its liquidation in the 
event of the separation having immediate effect. In the 
contemplated change, however, there must arise numerous 
material points affecting the immediate interests of either 



54 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


party, which might he brought under consideration and 
balanced against each other. A portion of the troops, hy 
being retained in the service of the E-aj Eana, could look to 
him for payment of their accumulated arrears, or these, 
being considered a public debt, might fall upon the State 
of Kotah; while the claim of Muddun Sing to reimbursement 
for expenses incurred by his grandfather in erecting the 
Palace across the river, at Nanta, might be denied upon the 
same principle, the edifice having been reared from the 
resources of the State. 

15. My last conference with Muddun Sing and his 
Vakeel took place at the Paegah on the 1st instant, when 
the tenor of the altered khureeta, which had been prepared 
for dispatch, having been brought under discussion, I sug¬ 
gested some modifications or omissions, where allusion made 
to the faith of Treaties and the too confident expression of 
the popularity of the present Administration ill assorted 
with the Eaj Eana’s final resolve to accede to the proffered 
terms; but it was objected that the Eaj Eana could not be 
expected to incur the reproach which would attach to 
an acknowledgment of inefiicient rule; and as the point 
could not be conceded without considerable sacrifice of 
feeling, it was not further pressed. An alteration was, 
however, made after a long debate, whereby it might 
appear that the Eaj Rana had thoroughly comprehended the 
terms of descent of the proposed Principality; and it is my 
duty to apprize you that Muddun Sing, while assenting 
to the Government proposition, is most desirous that the 
terms of the new Treaty shall entitle himself and heirs to 
a perpetuity of succession by adoption in failure of 
lineal descent. He is even with difficulty persuaded that 


THE DISMEMBEEMENT OF KOTAH. 


55 


[ Government have any other intention than to place him 
I in his new Principality on a par, in this respect, with other 
i' Native Princes of Pajwarra; and I venture to express 
I an opinion, that, by extending to the Paj Rana and his 
I descendants the adoptive license in failure of heirs male, 
I the surest course would be resorted to for thoroughly 
I reconciling him to the change which he is prepared to enter 
j upon. The Supplementary Article of the Treaty, signed 
at Delhi on the 20th of Pebruary 1818, provides that both 
[the Maha Rao and the Raj Rana shall hold their res- 
jpective dignities “in regular succession and perpetuity;’* 
! and it must he remarked that the Administrator not only 
feels his pride hurt in an arrangement whereby the sub- 
^stantive remnant of Zalim Sing’s influence and power 
; might only be continued to his descendants through a few 
generations, but looks forward with keen apprehension to 
I the period when, in the demise of the last lineal heir, the 
j family must fall from rank aud atfluence to obscurity and 
! comparative want. 

I 16. There is one other point which was now earnestly 
I pressed for the first time, viz., an objection to the Chou- 
I Mehla, or its vicinity, as the separate Principality; that tract 
being in a disturbed state from the inroads of foreign plun¬ 
ders, and not possessing a bythuk, or fitting seat of Govern¬ 
ment ; from which causes the Raj Rana pressed most earnest- 
: ly that his possession should be fixed to the north-east, 
with Shahabad, his hereditary jagheer, as his Capital. In 
[ reply to these remarks I informed him that 1 considered 
the views of Government in offering him a separate pro¬ 
vision to point to the southern portion of the Rotah State; 
but that this would be finally determined upon after a full 
consideration of the subject. 





56 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


17. Enclosed I have the honor to transmit the Eaj 
Eana’s khureeta in reply to His Excellency the Eight 
Hon’ble the Governor General, with a translation into 
English. One is forwarded from the same personage to 
your address; these, with what I have above detailed, will 
sufficiently explain the intentions of Muddun Singh, who, 
I trust, may claim by his acquiescence in the wishes of 
Government some consideration and applause j as, though 
he would desire a Principality yielding more than 12 lakhs 
of Itupees per annum, he will not object to accept whatever, 
not falling short of that amount, may be fixed upon by 
Government: but I am of opinion that, had the offer 
been extended to Bupees 15,00,000, he would still have left 
the ultimate determination of the sum to Government, by 
whom he appears to desire that the decision should be 
pronounced. 

18. The Eaj Eana, having heard of your contemplated 
journey in the direction of Kekree, has expressed an 
earnest hope that you will extend your march to Kotah, as 
he would derive much satisfaction in the opportunity of 
conferring with you in person on a subject so materially 
affecting his interests ; and in this wish I hope it may be in 
your power to gratify him. 

19. My attention shall henceforth he closely directed 
to collecting information upon the nature and resources 
of the tracts contiguous to the Cliou-Mehla, whereby we 
may he enabled to determine the limits of a Principality 
possessing a well-defined boundary and yielding 12 lakhs of 
revenue, and also to the ascertainment of such other 
particulars a knowledge of which may be essential to the 
accomplishment of the desired end. 


THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


57 


20. In conclusion, I beg to express a hope that these 
proceedings may be deemed satisfactory, and to request the 
Ifavor of such instructions as the present stage of the negoti¬ 
ation may appear to require. 

ABSTRACT. 

j Officiating Political Agent reports upon the result of 
jthe renewed proposal to Raj Rana Muddun Sing, of Kotah, 
of a separate Principality, and forwards the Raj Rana’s 
jreplies to khureetas which recently arrived from the Right 
Hon’ble the Governor General and from the Agent to 
Governor General for the States of Rajpootana on this 
Subject. 


Translation of a khureeta, in reply, from Raj Rana Muddun Sing, of 
[ Kotah, to the address of His Excellency the Governor General 
OF India, and dated 25th Shuvvul, 1253 Hijree. 

Afteu compliments and an acknowledgment of His 
[Excellency’s letter. 

As to the allusions in your Lordship’s letter to my 
want of attention in the Government of this State, the fact 
is, that your guileless petitioner and his forefathers have ever 
given the most particular attention to the Administration 
of affairs, nor has the slightest dissatisfaction been evinced 
by its subjects during the exercise of authority by your 
petitioner, excepting by the lawless and disaffected. On the 
contrary, the forefathers of your petitioner greatly extended 
the limits of the Maha Rao’s Territory by considerate care 
for its subjects and by foresight and good management; 
and your petitioner, having in like manner strenuously 

8 






58 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


occupied himself in the Government of the country and in ; 
promoting the welfare of its subjects, was in hopes that, 
agreeably to the stipulations of the Treaty with the British 
Government, his office would endure in perpetuity; hut 
your Lordship having thought it eligible that either the 
territories of this Principality shall be divided between : 
your petitioner and the Maha Bao, or that its Military v 
arrangements shall be transferred to the British Govern- 
ment; and Captain Ludlow having intimated that terri- 
tory yielding 12 lakhs of Rupees, to descend to my 
lineal heirs, male, from generation to generation, without 
prejudice of any kind, or opposition from any one, has been) 
agreed upon; your guileless petitioner entertains an earnest 
hope that whatever may be for the advantage and prosperity. 
of yoar ally will be graciously extended from generation to 

generation, without prejudice, in 

* Meaning without limitation to . 

lineal heirs and with privilege of adop- absolute Sovereignty ancl in secu- 

rity for ever.* 

As the proportion of territory which is to be assigned| 
to your petitioner is excessively small, and as debts incurred 
in former days must be paid by the State to Sahookars, 
your Lordship will be graciously pleased to issue suitable 
commands and to afford the requisite assistance. 

Your petitioner, reflecting upon the strength and stabi¬ 
lity of your exalted Government, considers his interests* 
inseparable from its good-will.—(The usual conclusion.) 




THE DISMEMBERMENT OE KOTAH. 


59 


rranslation of a khureeta from the Raj Rana, Muddun Sing, of Kotah, 

to the address of Lieutenant-Colonel Alves, Agent, Governor 

General, Rajpootana, received 11th February 1838. 

Your friendly communication, accompanied by a 
ihureeta from the Right Hon’ble the Governor General, 
las duly reached me: regarding a separate Principality for 
me, or else the making over to the British Government all 
matters connected with the Military Establishments of 
this State, I have understood what you have written; and 
Captain Ludlow has further informed me that the portion 
af territory to be assigned to me and to my lineal des¬ 
cendants, without let or hindrance from any one, has been 
fixed at 12 lakhs. 

My friend, as you are the protector of all Rajwarra, and 
are fully aware of the services and zealous conduct of my¬ 
self and ancestors towards the British Government, I was in 
fhopes that the expectations held out in the Treaty entered 
into by your Government, which provide for my interests and 
dignity, would have been adhered to. Now, however, that the 
^ritish Government has arrived at the above decision, I 
[trust that whatever provision may be made for me may be 
“from generation to generation, from progenitors to pro¬ 
geny, without lapse and irrevocably, for ever and ever.” A 
reply has been prepared to the letter of the Right Hon’ble 
the Governor General, and has been made over to Captain 
Ludlow. As the amount of territory to be made over for my 
support is very small, and as debts contracted in former 
days are claimable from this State, I trust that you, my 
friend, will make arrangements on these heads with due 
regard to my interests.—(The usual conclusion.) 







60 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


Supplementary Article of the Treaty concluded between the British 
Government and the Principality of Kotah on the 26th of Decem-i 
her 1817. 

The contracting parties agree that after Maha Rao^ 
Omed Sing, the Baja of Kotah, the Principality shall ! 
descend to his eldest son and heir apparent, Maharaja Kcownr ! 
Kishore Sing, and his heirs, in regular succession and per¬ 
petuity, and that the entire Administration of the affairs of 
the Principality shall he vested in Eaj Bana Zalim Sing, 
and after him in his eldest son, Koowur Madhoo Sing, and 
his heirs, in regular succession and perpetuity. 

Done at Delhi this 20th day of February a. d. 1818. 

(Sd.) C. T. Metcalee. 


(Sd.) Hastings. 


Batified by His Excellency the Governor General at 
Lucknow this seventh day of March one thousand eight 
hundred and eighteen. 

(Sd.) J. Adam, 

Secy, to the Govr. Gent. 


L. S. 


Small Seal of 
the Governor 
General. 


From Lieutenant-Colonel N. Alves, Agent, Governor General, Kajpoot- 1 
ana, to W. H. Macnaghten, Esq., Secretary to Government of 
India, Secret Department, with the Governor General,— (dated Camp 
Kotah, the 22nd February 1838.) 

With reference to the 9th paragraph and note attached 
to it of my Despatch, in the Secret Department, of the 20th 








THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


61 


instant, I do myself the honor to state, for the information 
of the Right Hon’hie the Governor General of India, 
^hat the same Deputation from the Raj Rana that came to 
ime on the afternoon of the 20th waited on me yesterday 
again, and intimated their having explained what had passed 
pn the first occasion to the Raj Rana, who had accordingly 
Expressed himself satisfied to abide by his former acquies- 
bence and by the wishes of the British Government. 

2. The Maha Rao returned my visit of ceremony yester¬ 
day. Having intimated a wish to say a few words to me in 
jprivate, an opportunity was afforded him of doing so, when 
jhe expressed anxiety to have an opportunity of showing his 
devotion by the performance of service to the British Govern¬ 
ment, as his ancestors had formerly done to the Kings of 
t)elhi, and intimated that he would act in all things as 
advised or ordered by us to do. These sentiments had 
direct and obvious reference to the negotiations on foot, which, 
it seems, the Raj Rana and his servants have not kept con¬ 
cealed from His Highness. With this knowledge, therefore, 
I did not much hesitate to inform the Maha Rao, that, if 
any arrangement were effected for his benefit, he would have 
an opportunity of bringing into practice the good feelings 
he had expressed: the promises and professions made by 
the Maha Rao were hereupon repeated. 

3. I received yesterday from Major Ross a Despatch, 
bearing date the 8th instant, from Subathoo, on Kotah affairs, 
copy of which he will probably have furnished you with, 
though he does not intimate having done so. 

4. With reference to its contents, you will perceive 
that I have treated in my Despatch of the 20th instant on 



62 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


the subject of taking a written engagement from the Maha 
Hao, to the effect that he will abide by all that may be done ! 
or advised by the British Government, and that I have also j 
touched upon that of the State treasure. j 

! 

5. To go deeply into that subject, an inspection of all ^ 
records of receipts and detailed disbursements for a long ^ 
period of time past would be necessary, as the information 
thereby gained would be indispensable to counteract with 
effect the assertion that will be made, that the State is in 
debt and possesses no treasure. There can be little doubt, 

I believe, that Zalim Sing did not hoard up money, but 
expended and improved the revenues by disbursements 
judiciously applied to the support of the Establishments j 
indispensable to opposing the introduction of the anarchy, i 
which long prevailed around him, into the Kotah State. His j 
two successors in office may have amassed some money, but : 
a great deal must, I think, have been latterly wasted and eaten 
up by harpies preying on the weak mind and weak Govern¬ 
ment of Baj Bana Muddun Sing. I am of opinion, there¬ 
fore, that the Kotah State should be saddled with public debts, 
reduced, in the first instance, as much as possible by effecting 
pecuniary payments by the Baj Bana, on information to be 
gained, on an estimate to be formed, on general grounds, 
of the existence and amount of public treasure. This 
might, perhaps, be effected by a punchayeut of Sahookars and 
servants of the Kotah State, to be jointly appointed by the 
British Agent and the Baj Bana. 

6. With respect to the debt of Haun Mul Seth, in other 
words, that of Zorawur Mul’s Eirm, I think that its liquida¬ 
tion ought to have been guaranteed, or that the Agent ' 





THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


63 


ought not to have interfered to effect the change, which was 
Introduced with the view to at once reduce the influence 
pf that house in the Kotah State and to pay off the money 
jdue to it. I do not, therefore, hesitate to say that I think 
we ought to see Daun Mul’s fair claims satisfied under any 
bircumstances; and that, with respect to other pecuniary 
claims on the Kotah Government, we ought to countenance 
and guide such arrangements as ought to satisfy the credi¬ 
tors in the event of a separation of the lands of the 



tPrincipality taking place. 

t 7. There can be no doubt, in the event of that separa¬ 
tion, that the presence of a resident Agent at Kotah will 
!he very necessary for a considerable period of time. I 
entirely concur with Major Koss on this point, though I do 
not anticipate all the difficulties which that Officer seems to 
think are likely to arise to the Maha Kao’s exercise of 
power; and, with respect to forming a body of troops under 
British Officers, several considerations seem to he involved in 
the question. One is, whether the revenues will allow of the 
expense being incurred until the debts shall be reduced; 
another, whether the measure be thought of as a temporary 
or a permanent one; a third, if a permanent measure, how 
the Borce is to he disposed of after the British Agent shall 
have been withdrawn. 

8. On a small scale the measure would not prove a 
very expensive one; but if the reformed Borce were not to 
be used for other purposes than the preservation of the 
general peace, its existence would not admit of much reduc¬ 
tion in the other Establishments of the Government, as 
refractory subjects and debtors would soon learn that they 







64 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


had nothing to fear from it. On the other hand, if contem¬ 
plated as a permanent measure, the consideration involyea' 
that either of a permanent Local Agency at Kotah, or 
of a Lorce moveable even from the territory for general 
purposes, like that of the Jodhpoor Legion, and is therefore 
open to the objection, in the treatment of this most delicate 
question, of the British Grovernment seeking an advantage 
to itself by ensuring the permanent services of a Borce main¬ 
tained by the State of Kotah. It may he prudent, however, 
to acquire the power to organize such a Force, reserving 
its use for future consideration along with circumstances 
to he developed and better understood. 

9. As the proposition by the Maha Rao at a former 
time, alluded to by Major Ross, does not appear to have j 
been conveyed through the Local Agent, and as I am not ^ 
sure of the time or circumstances under which it wasjj 
done, I have only to notice regarding it, that I believe j 
it was made to Sir Charles Metcalfe, either when Resident j 
at Delhi or Lieutenant-Governor of the Agra Presidency. i 

ABSTRACT. ^ 

Lieutenant-Colonel Alves offers a few remarks on the ' 
negotiations at Kotah, additional to those contained in his 
Despatch of the 20th instant, in consequence of receiving ! 
the sentiments of Major R. Ross on some points connected 
with the subject. 


Copy of a Minute of the President of the Council,— (dated the 29th 
March 1838.) 

In forming an opinion in regard to the course of pro¬ 
ceeding which should be pursued by our Government towards . 







THE DISMEMBEKMENT OF KOTAH. 


65 


Kotah in the state of things which now exists in that Prin¬ 
cipality, it is necessary to bear in mind that Zalim Sing, 
who, as Paj Pana or Pegent, administered the Government 
of the Principality in 1817, when our connection with it 
commenced, did not govern by any right but that which 
he derived from having been appointed to the Office of 
jPegent when Omed Sing, the Maha Pao or hereditary 
ruler, was a minor. 

In our Treaty with Kotah, eoncluded in the year above 
Mentioned, it was expressly declared that the Maha Pao, 
Omed Sing, and his heirs and successors shall remain ab¬ 
solute sovereigns of the country; and in the Supplementary 
lArticle, eoncluded a few months after guaranteeing the 
'entire Administration “ of the affairs of the Principality” 
to Zalim Sing and his heirs, Omed Sing and his heirs were 
again declared to be the sovereigns. 

In the present crisis, therefore, when our interference 
has become necessary to prevent anarchy and bloodshed, and 
we must give our support either to the present Maha Pao 
against the present incapable and unpopular Paj Pana, 
or to the latter against the former, I cannot hesitate a 
moment to give my assent to the opinion of the Hon’ble 
Court, that, “whether we look to justice or expediency, 
the propriety of supporting the Maha Pao in preference to 
the Paj Pana cannot admit of a doubt.” 

I would, accordingly, be disposed at once to place the 
Administration of the Principality in the hands of the Maha 
Pao on his agreeing to assign to the Paj Pana a portion 
of territory, to be held by the latter as a separate and inde¬ 
pendent Principality. 


9 






66 


CORBESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


Erom letters addressed by Colonel Alves to the Secre¬ 
tary with the Governor General, dated the 20th and 22nd , 
ultimo, of which duplicates have been received here, it 
appears that the E-aj Rana has intimated his acquiescence ; 
in the proposition to the above effect, made to him by the 
Governor General in November last; so that the main point 
now to be settled is the extent of territory to he assigned ' 
to him. ! 

On this point my opinion is, that the assignment should ; 
not exceed one-third of the territories at present belonging j 
to the State of Kotah, including the four Holkar Mehals; ] 
and that it might be limited to those four Mehals if great 
reluctance should be felt by the Maha Rao or the influential 
Thakoors to cede any portion of the ancient dominions of ; 
their Principality. i 

j 

Por the reasons stated by Colonel Alves in his letter of 
the 20th ultimo, I think with him that the proposed new , 
Principality should be granted to the Raj Rana; subject ■ 
to the rule of succession which obtains in all the Principa- ' 
lities of Rajpootana. i 

(Sd.) A. Ross. 


I am inclined to concur in the views expressed by the . 
President in Council; and I should view with regret any^j 
dismemberment of the ancient State of Kotah, which, I j 
think, would prove to be a measure offensive not only to the j 
Rajahs, the Maha Rao, and the people of that Principality, : 
but to every other State in Rajpootana. I would not, there- i 
fore, recommend any transfer of territory to the Raj Rana, 
if possible to be avoided, beyond the Holkar Pergunnahs, 



THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


67 


which were given by us to Zalim Sing, and which, therefore, 
may be considered as belonging to his heirs. If these Per- 
gunnahs be inadequate to meet the object in view, it would 
be preferable, I think, to tax the Kotah State with a money 
payment in support of the Paj Pana, rather than insist 
on any transfer of the ancient territory for that purpose; 
and, failing heirs to the latter, I think that Holkar Pergun- 
nahs should be allowed to lapse to the Kotah State in 
eventual compensation for any expense which may be imposed 
upon it as a provision for the Paj Pana. With regard to the 
Army of Kotah, it would, I conceive, be an advantage to that 
State to organize a portion of it under the command of 
British Oihcers, which, from its commanding position, would 
become an important part of the general military strength 
of the paramount Power, independent of the local control 
which it would establish in the heart of Central India. 

Dated the 2>\st March 1838. (Sd.) W. Morison. 


Copy of a Minute by the Hon^blb W. W. Bird,— (dated the 19th April 

1838.) 

It appears to me that, in the actual state of affairs at 
Kotah, no doubt can be entertained as to the necessity and 
propriety of our interference in the mode proposed. By the 
Supplementary Article to the Treaty, the British Govern¬ 
ment guaranteed to the family of the Paj Pana the entire 
administration of the Principality in regular succession and 
perpetuity; but its provisions, like those of all other Treaties, 
are of course liable to be affected by natural causes, and to 
be superseded by events over which the contracting parties 



68 


COEUESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


have no control. The present K-aj Hana is described as 
incapable of discharging the duties of Administrator; as 
having rendered himself by his misconduct not only odious 
to the Maha Uao, hut universally unpopular; and it appears 
that even his person is not safe except under British protec¬ 
tion. A crisis, therefore, seems to have arrived in which, as 
the paramount Authority, even as a party to the Treaty itself, | 
our interference is imperatively called for to put an end to 
a state of things dangerous alike to the welfare of Kotah and 
to the tranquillity of the surrounding States. I 

1 

This interference is not likely to be misunderstood orj 
misinterpreted. It originates in no object of political ad-| 
vantage to ourselves, but has arisen from the clear and ^ 
obvious necessity of providing for a contingency unforeseen 
at the time of the Treaty, and which has been occasioned ] 
not by the British Government, but by the Baj Bana. The i 
British Government has evinced ever since the Treaty was 
made a uniform desire to adhere to its provisions under 
every vicissitude, until a period has at length arrived when, 
owing to the incapacity and misconduct of the Baj Bana, 
such adherence is no longer practicable. 

Under these circumstances, the most considerate and 
proper course to pursue with reference both to the just rights . 
of the Maha Bao and our obligations to the Baj Bana 
is to induce the latter to retire from the Administration by : 
the offer of a separate Principality, as proposed by the Lieute^ 
nant-Governor and sanctioned by the Governor General, to i 
be formed out of the Kotah Territories. I am, of course, 
unable to form any opinion of the extent of country which 
should be assigned, regulated as it must be by local and 




THE DISMEMBEEMENT OP KOTAII. 


69 


personal considerations, of which I have little information ; 
hut, in order to avoid, as far as practicable, the dismember- 
jment of the ancient Kotah Territory, it should consist, I 
think, in part, if not entirely, of the four Holkar Mehals : 
and, to make the arrangement less unacceptable to the Eaj 
Eana, as well as to evince our own disinterestedness, it 
should be advisable, perhaps, instead of providing that the 
Principality should be resumed in default of lineal male 
descendants, to place him, as suggested by the Agent to the 
Governor General in the 5th paragraph of his letter of the 
20th of Pebruary last, on the same footing with all other 
[rulers in Eajpootana, his possessions descending to his near¬ 
est heirs or by adoption. His wishes likewise in regard to 
additional style and titles, unless there be any political ob¬ 
jection, of which I am not aware, should, I think, be com¬ 
plied with, such compliance being calculated to reconcile the 
Eaj Eana to the arrangement and secure his acquiescence. 

It will he necessary, of course, to obtain the Maha Eao’s 
assent to the arrangement to be made, but this, I conclude, 
will be attended with no difidculty. 

As to the troops now in the pay of the Eaj Eana, 
it does not appear from the correspondence that any em¬ 
barrassment is apprehended in regard to the disposal of 
them. Of course a new allotment will be necessary in 
proportion to the extent of territory to be assigned to the 
Maha Eao and Eaj Eana respectively; but if, as alleged 
in Mr. Prinsep’s note, the Eaj Eana has no confidence 
in his followers under the temptation they are subject 
to from the intrigues of the Maha Eao, the transfer of 
a portion of them to the latter might, I should think, be 








70 


CORBESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


effected without danger to the general security. At all 
events, it is a matter not likely to be lost sight of in the 
progress of the negotiation, and, together with many other 
points which must arise affecting the interests of all par¬ 
ties, will, when the primary object is agreed to, doubtless 
admit of easy adjustment. 

(Sd.) W. W. Bird. 


Note by H. T. Prinsep, Esq,., Secretary to Government of India, Political 
Department,— (dated the 6th March 1838.) 

The Hon’ble Court of Directors in their letter dated 
18th October last direct the Government to carry into 
effect the arrangement already contemplated and under 
negotiation for placing the Administration of Kotah on a 
more satisfactory footing, and for dissolving the anomalous 
Treaties by which we are bound to uphold the Maha Bac 
and his heirs as perpetual Sovereigns and the Baj Bana and 
his heirs as perpetual Begents. The Hon’ble Court dired | 
the four Holkar Mehals granted by us to Kotah afteii 
the Treaty of Mundisor to be offered to Muddun Sing; 
the grandson of Zalim Sing, who succeeded to the heredt* 
tary Begency in 1834, as a separate Principality, nominallj 
dependent on Kotah, but practically independent; the 
Mehals to be held by him and his posterity for ever undei- 
British guarantee. The Court further direct that, if Muddun' 
Sing continues to reject this offer, he be informed tha 
we shall feel it our duty “ to interpose and place tb( 
Administration in the hands of the Maha Bao;” and if h 
accept it, the Maha Bao is to assume the entire powern 
of Government in the hereditary dominions of Kotah, as hel( 
by his family before the State became connected with us o' 
with Zalim Sing. 





THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


71 


ji 


j These orders go much beyond the point to which 

t e negotiation was carried by the Government prior to 
eir receipt, and would warrant much more decided steps 
|han any that have yet been taken to bring about the 
ontemplated arrangements. 

The Government negotiations have aimed at two things, 
leparate in themselves, so far that eaeh might be obtained 

C thout necessarily involving the other, but both evidently 
^ sential to a conclusive and satisfactory arrangement. 

i First .—The Government has offered not only the four 
^olkar Mehals, but as much as one-third, or even three- 
jighths, of the Kotah Territory as a separate Principality 
o the Raj Rana. The negotiation seems to stand thus :— 
]5aptain Trevelyan named to the Raj Rana a quarter of the 
;erritory estimated at 10 lakhs : the Raj Rana expressed 
iis readiness to accept one-half as the condition of his 
eaving the Maha Rao in the independent management of the 
)ther half, but this offer has never been made in writing, and 
Muddun Sing appears to have been instigated by his advisers 
;o retract even this qualified assent. The Governor General, 
joncurring with Sir Charles Metcalfe, is disposed to give 
me-third, or even three-eighths, that is, about fifteen lakhs 
ff territory, to Raj Rana Muddun Sing on the condition of his 
fvithdrawing from the administration of the remainder of 
Kotah; but it seems to be Sir Charles’s and the Governor 
General’s opinion, that, if the Raj Rana obtains such a 
territory, he should hold the Holkar Mehals conferred by 
the British Government as a hereditary fief of that Govern¬ 
ment quite independent of Kotah ; so that, if for want of 
lineal heirs the tenure should lapse, these Mehals would revert 






72 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


to US, and not to Kotah, the Haja of which would only take i 
such Kotah Mehals as might be added to this territory iiL^ 
order to satisfy the Raj Rana. It does not appear that the ( 
offer of three-eighths, or fifteen lakhs of territory, has yet beenj 
formally made to Raj Rana Muddun Sing. The Raj Rana^ 
having met evasively the former proposition, the Governor^ 
General in November last replied, expressing his disappoint-^ 
ment. In the mean time the Despatch of the Hon’ble the_ 
Court of Directors above referred to arrived, and the course^ 
of policy enjoined therein being much more decided than the^ 
Government was before prepared to enter upon, the question 
is submitted by the Governor General for careful considera-^ 
tion before determining upon the ultimatum to be now 
proposed to the Raj Rana. :i 

i 

Second .—Contemporaneously with this negotiation the 
Agent at the Kotah Durbar submitted to the Raj Rana a' 
proposition for the reform of his Military Establishments. 
The offer was made to liim of British Officers to command and 
discipline a portion of the Kotah Troops; this also haS' 
been met evasively. The Raj Rana has asked for a British 
Regiment to be stationed at Kotah for his security, but has 
declined to have British Officers appointed to his troops, 
being advised apparently that if he were to yield this point 
his authority in the country would be at an end. The Gover¬ 
nor General in his letter of November has not pressed! 
the matter on the Raj Rana, and the question remains' 
to he considered conjointly with the course of measures to 
he adopted under the recent orders of the Hon’ble Court 
of Directors. In the 29th paragraph of the Court’s Des¬ 
patch an opinion is expressed, that there are insurmountable 
objections to an arrangement for conducting the affairs of 



THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


73 


iKotali under the advice of the British Agent with part 
of the Military placed under British Officers. The with- 
klrawing of the Agent in case of the Baj Bana’s asserting 
Jiis competency to govern independently of our interference 
is equally objected to, and Major Boss’s arguments against 
[this course appear to have satisfied the Governor General. 
A course of systematic interference and control with com¬ 
mand of the troops being thus objected to on one hand, and 
absolute non-interference and withdrawal from the country 
being equally rejected on the other, the Court of Directors 
have apparently come to the conclusion that there is no 
hiternative but that of authoritatively requiring the guaran¬ 
teed hereditary Begent and the guaranteed Sovereign to 
divide the territory between them, and each to govern his 
own independently. In reviewing the claims of the two 
parties the Hon’ble Court lean evidently to the side of the 
Maha Bao, and consider our guarantee of the Begency to 
the posterity of Zalim Sing to have been an anomalous crea¬ 
tion by the Government of that day of a new status for his 
family. An hereditary Begency is treated as an absurdity 
sufficient per se to vitiate and annul the contract by which 
the British Government bound itself to maintain such a 
status. I confess I think this is treating the claims of the 
Baj Bana’s family rather too lightly. 

Baj Bana Zalim Sing restored, and it may be said creat¬ 
ed, the State of Kotah : but for his infiuence and character 
Kotah would have been swallowed up by the Mahrattas or 
by Ameer Khan and other Commanders of free bands; 
whereas through his management it not only maintained 
its independence, but throve amidst the desolation of all 
surrounding States. He added greatly to the territory ; was 

10 



74 


CORRESPONDENCE EELATING TO 


the general referee and mediator of conventions between : 
all the contending Chiefs : without his guarantee Treaties . 
were waste paper. He was the banker always chosen to 
hold the stakes pending a final settlement; the oppressed j 
sought refuge with him against extortion and tyranny, | 
and his garrisons afforded a safe asylum for the families | 
of those who mixed in the strife of parties and lived by j 
violence. All this, it may be said, was personal, and though ;j 
it had gone on for 50 years, and the individual who possess- ] 
ed the power and influence thus acquired had claims to j 
consideration from us, because during the Pindaree war i 
it was essential to secure his personal weight on our ■ 
own side, still the transmission of the same power and j 
influence to his posterity was a thing he could not have ’ 
reckoned upon but for the Treaty with us. This the ; 
Hon’ble Court assume in their Despatch, but the inference 
is not quite consistent wuth historical facts, nor with the 
state of feeling in Hindostan. If it be enquired how 
Zalim Sing obtained for himself this vast power and 
influence, it will be found that it was by organizing, first 
and most effectually of all the Hajwarra Chiefs, a disciplined 
Military Porce, through which he held the Jagheerdars and 
Tributaries of Kotah in due subjection, protected his own 
subjects and revenue farmers, and maintained, by well- 
posted garrisons in a strong country, such an attitude as 
preserved his independence by proving to all the dissolute 
Military Chiefs who surrounded him that it was much 
better worth their while to live in friendship than at war 
with him. The Kara feudatories of Kotah have always 
looked upon Zalim Sing with jealousy and fear; it is 
not through them that he rose to power and made the 
Principality to prosper, but in spite of these and by con- 



THE DISMEMBERMENT OP KOTAII. 


75 


itrolling them. The garrisons of all the Torts of Kotah were 
held by troops raised, commanded, and paid by himself, and 
who owed no born allegiance to the Kotah Maha Kao, most 
of them being Hindostanees and their Commanders chiefly 
Moosulmans. When, after the death of Omed Sing, Kish- 
iwur Kao, his successor, fled from Kotah, and, appealing to the 
jphivalrous spirit of Kajwarra, came back to reclaim his 
povereignty, supported by thousands of that race, the part 
{taken by the troops of Zalim Sing proves the real source of 
ills power and of the strength of Kotah. Not one of them 
^vas unfaithful to him in the crisis, and it was tliey, with 
Colonel Tod, that bore the brunt of the battle and contri¬ 
buted mainly to the victory. Except the Cavalry affair, in 
which we lost two Ofidcers by the men reining up without 
orders, our Troops were scarcely engaged, and the host of 
Kishwur Kao dissolved before Zalim Sing’s Artillery and 
well-appointed Infantry, leaving Zalim Sing to arrange 
affairs as he wished. There was certainly a British Brigade 
called into the field on that occasion, but Zalim Sing was 
not dependent upon its aid, and would equally have gained 
the victory without it. If the British Government had not 
then existed as the paramount sovereign of India, what 
would have been the result of Zalim Sing’s success on that 
day ? Can it be doubted that that victory placed him in a 
position to transmit his power to his eldest son, Madhoo 
Kao, and to his descendants, even though it had not before 
acquired sufficient solidity to stand against the intrigues of 
the natural sovereign ? It was for Madhoo Sing that the 
battle was thus fought in his father’s life-time, and that 
circumstance assured him the continuance of his father’s 
power. The proof is evident in the result, for while Madhoo 
Sing lived there was never any serious attempt made to 




76 


COKKESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


disturb his Regency. A second succession having recently 
placed a weaker man than Madhoo Sing in the position of 
Raj Rana, this circumstance encourages fresh intrigues, and 
it is the fear of these coming to a head to disturb the public 
tranquillity, the doubt whether Muddun Sing, who has 
shown himself to be of vacillating disposition, timorous 
character, and unfitted for command, will be able to maintain 
liimself against these, that alone compels or makes it politic 
for the Government to devise a means of prevention. The 
Military power of Zalini Sing—his Artillery, his Battalion, 
and his Rusalas—were, according to all custom in Hindostan, 
hereditary; the allegiance of the troops was due to their 
Commander, who raised and disciplined them, and after liim 
to Madhoo Sing. Intrigue may weaken this feeling; irre¬ 
gular pay and wrong promotions will produce discontents, 
which may be fomented into mutiny, but the Army of Kotah, 
the paid and disciplined Army, is evidently still with the 
Raj Rana, and until liis infiuence over it and command 
of its allegiance shall be destroyed, it cannot be said that he 
has not the power to maintain himself and to conduct 
the Administration with efficiency. But Muddun Sing 
may not be of the character to command tlie attach¬ 
ment of troops, and the Reports of the successive Govern¬ 
ment Agents at Kotah confirm the opinion of his imbecility. 
As yet, however, the disciplined troops of Kotah have not 
deserted him; he commands their services and has all 
the garrisons and strongholds on his side. The power 
is, therefore, his in possession; and although, through our | 
guarantee of his person, the Maha Rao may be in a 
favorable position for intrigue, and, under the cloak of that 
guarantee, may work with advantage to undermine the Admi- * 
nistrator de facto, the Raj Rana has as much ground to 


THE DISMEMBERMENT OP KOTAH. 


77 


complain of us for affording his opponent this advantage 
as the Maha E/ao to cry out against the Treaty by which we 
bound ourselves to Zalim Sing to maintain his heirs in the 
Regency. There is no doubt that the double sovereignty 
|of Kotah is extremely inconvenient and must be a source 
of continual jealousy and intrigue. The two Chiefs are 
placed in the position to be perpetually endeavoring to 
thwart and ruin each other, but it does not follow, if the 
Government were wholly to withdraw, that the nominal 
sovereign would of necessity obtain the mastery over the 
'Regent with the command of the Army and treasures of 
Ithe State actually in possession. The Hon’ble the Court 
'of Directors build their orders for removal of the Raj 
'Rana in part only on his weak character and unfitness. 
If the principles they are guided by were sound and immu¬ 
table, it would signify nothing whether the Raj Rana were 
fit or not fit to govern. The right of the family to 
be hereditary Regents is, however, as complete as that 
of the Maha Rao to be hereditary sovereign; both are 
liable to the accidents of nature, and may be set aside if 
incompetent to fulfil the duties of their places; but the 
holders of either in possession ought not to be deprived 
without good and sufficient cause; and it is rather late, after 
the Treaty has subsisted for 20 years, to set it aside as 
containino* an incongruitv which makes it fundamentallv 
void. I have prefaced thus much to show that, as I 
understand the present state of things at Kotah, the Raj 
I Rana is still the possessor of the Army and Revenue of the 
State. The feudatories of that family, the Native Kara 
Chiefs, are inclined of course in favor of the Maha Rao, but 
they are held in control by the mercenary trained Army, 
the command of which gives the sovereignty. Now it is 




78 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


evident that the Army raised by Zalim Sing, through which 
he made head against Kishwur Ptao, and which enabled 
Madhoo Rao to maintain himself in power against the 
wishes of the Maha llao and his Hara feudatories, by whicli 
even Muddun Sing has been able to enforce the resumption 
of jagheers for faults real or pretended, cannot become the 
Army of the Maha Rao. If, however, the Government 
execute the Hon’ble Court’s orders and confine the Raj Ran a 
to the four Holkar Mehals obtained after the Treaty of 
Mundisor, he cannot carry that Army with him, for those Per- 
gunnahs will not suffice for its support. One of two courses 
will therefore be indispensable; either the Army, which is the 
best in Rajwarra and of tried fidelity to the cause it has 
espoused, must be disbanded, an unpopular if not a danger¬ 
ous measure to the tranquillity of Malwa, or the British 
Government maintaining that Army as essential to the 
peace and good Government of the Kotah Territory and its 
vicinity, must guarantee its pay and take it under its own : 
command and management. The Ilon’hle Court have said, j 
that to take it and govern through the Raj Rana, guided by 
the British Agent, would be a mischievous and objectionable ' 
scheme; no opinion is expressed on the question of taking I 
the Army and leaving the Maha Rao to conduct affairs with 
its assistance to enforce his just orders, but with a portion of 
his revenue appropriated to its guaranteed maintenance; 
the object being to retain it as part of the general Military 
power of India, on the ground that that power ought to be 
in the hands of the paramount sovereign, which the Secret 
Committee’s orders of 1830 have pointed out to be an ■ 
object the Government should always keep its eye to the 
necessity of forwarding. The present Raj Pwana is evidently ' 
fearful, and has no confidence in the troops of his grand- 


THE DISMEMBERMENT OP KOTAH. 


79 


father under the temptation they are subjected to through the 
intrigues of the Maha llao. He has asked for the presence of a 
I British llegiment as a Body-guard for security as well against 
Biem as against the Hara Chiefs in the Maha Bao’s interest. 
I The terms on which the Raj Rana offered to retire from the 
Regency, viz., with a separate Principality of half the terri¬ 
tory, conjoined Avith his application for a British Regiment, 
jsufficiently show that fear is the paramount consideration 
Avith him; and if that be his character, it Avill not be difficult 
( to bring him to accept either the terms of the Court, or the 
I [more favorable terms proposed by the GoA^ernor General. 

But before anything can be done, the Army of Kotah 
‘ must be assured of its independence of either of the 
two Chiefs if dismission and discharge were proclaimed 
i as its lot; consequently, upon an arrangement being made 
with the Raj Rana on the terms proposed, its leaders Avould 
be interested in opposing such an arrangement to the last 
point. The Army Avould not be satisfied to be transferred 
to the Maha Rao, Avliose full sovereignty being declared 
would carry with it a right of discharging, appointing 
favorites to command, and paying by cheques on Pondus. 
I look upon it as next to impossible to make any satis¬ 
factory arrangement for Kotah Avithout first settling the 
question of the Army; and, therefore, whatever may be 
determined upon as proper consequent upon the receipt 
of these orders, the first thing to be effected is to induce 
either the Raj Rana to give up his Army, or the Army 
to give up him, taking from the British GoA^ernment the 
j guarantee of its arrears and continued employment. And 
! here it is necessary to observe that the correspondence on 
j record affords at present A^ery insufficient information as to 
. the number of troops and their description, their Command- 







80 


CORRESPONDENCE REI.ATING TO 


ants, and places of Cantonment and Garrison; nor do I find 
anything satisfactory as to their feeling towards the Hegent 
and Mali a P^ao. The first thing to be done, as it seems 
to me, is to obtain a full lleport on this point, and I would 
suspend the further urging of the Raj Rana to retire from 
the Regency until the Government had finally determined 
what to do with the Kotah Army. The income divisible 
between the two Chiefs will evidently depend much on 
the amount to be first set apart from the general revenue of 
Kotah for the support of this Army. Perhaps, after making 
the appropriation for this purpose, the revenue of the four 
Ilolkar Pergunnahs will be a sufficient share of the remain¬ 
ing territory for the retired Regent. The pay of the Army, 
if assessed as a subsidy, may be left to be collected in 
part from the Maha Rao and in part from the Raj Rana; 
and, in the apportionment of the districts which are to yield 
it, there will be much to arrange that will leave room'^br 
the exertion of favor, accordingly as the propositions of the 
Government are received favorably or resisted. 

(Sd.) H. T. PniNSEP. 


From H. T. Prinsep, Esq., Secretary to Government of India, Political 
Department, to W. H. Macnaghten, Esq., Secretary, Gover¬ 
nor General,—(dated Fort William, the 25th April 1838.) 

With reference to your letter, dated the 15th January 
last, on the subject of the course of measures to be pursued 
for effecting a settlement between the Raj Rana and Mahs 
Rao of Kotah, I am desired by the Hon’ble the President ii: 
Council to forward, for the information of the Right Hon’bh 




THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAlI. 


81 


the Governor General, the enclosed copies of Minutes hy 
the Hon’ble the President in Council and the Hon’ble 
Colonel Morison, as also one hy the Hon’ble Mr. W. W. 
Bird, dated respectively the 29th and 31st ultimo, and 19th 
instant, regarding Kotah affairs, together with copy of a 
inote by the Secretary, dated the 6th ultimo, on the same 
, subject. 


iFrom R. Ross, Esq., Political Agent, on leave of absence, to W. H. 

Macnaghten, Esq., Secretary to Governor General, Political Depart- 
! ment,— (dated Soobathoo, the 8th February 1838.) 

I HA.VE the honor herewith to transmit the copy of 
|a letter which I have this day addressed to the Governor 
General’s Agent in Bajpootana relative to the questions 
likely to arise in the course of the partition of the Kotah 
Territory, an arrangement to which I understand that 
the Baj Bana has consented. 

2. I take this liberty that the letter in question may 
he submitted to the Governor General when the subject 
comes before His Lordship in due course through Colonel 
Alves’s reports, should it not then have been forwarded by 
that Officer a circumstance which will necessarily happen 
if his Beport should have been dispatched before my letter 
had reached him. 


From R. Ross, EsQ., Political Agent, on leave of absence, to 
Liedtenant-Colonel N. Alves, Agent, to Governor General for the 
States of Rajpootana,-—(dated Soobathoo, the 8th February 1838.) 

The information which I have received of the consent 
of the Baj Bana of Kotah to the project for a partition 

11 







82 


COREESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


of the Kotah Territory between the Maha Hao and himself ^ 
has suggested the following observations relative to the 
several questions which will arise in carrying that arrange¬ 
ment into effect. The disposal of these questions will 
necessarily devolve upon the British Authorities both on ^ 
general grounds, as the paramount power and the guardians J 
of order in Central India, and on the special account, that, 
having brought about the arrangement in question, we have a 
thereby become responsible, to a certain extent, for its com-| 
pletion, with the least possible injury to any of the divers 
interests which it is calculated to effect, and with the least] 
possible disturbance of existing relations of all descriptions. ; 

2. In offering these observations I labor under the 
disadvantage of ignorance as to the instructions issued by the 
Lieutenant-Governor for the renewal of the negotiation with 
the Baj Bana; and His Honor may therefore, for aught I 
know, have already provided for all I propose to suggest. 
It is also highly probable that all I have to submit for consi¬ 
deration may have occurred to yourself or to Captain Ludlow; 
but as it is also possible that, owing to the numerous other 
claims on your attention, something connected with Kotah 
affairs might have escaped you which the present letter 
may bring to mind, I should blame myself for disregard¬ 
ing that possibility from a motive so personal as the fear 
of being thought officious. 

3. A first and most indispensable preliminary appears < 
to me to he the Maha Bao’s formal and express consent to 
the arrangement, a suggestion which may appear superfluous’ 
either on account of the obviousness of what it recommends, 
or because His Highness’s consent to a measure so greatly 


THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


83 


jto his benefit may be taken for granted. In the former 
^ase, however, it will do no barm, and in the latter it may 
jbbviate embarrassment and hindrance in a more advanced 
jstage of the arrangement by depriving the Maha Rao’s 
ijA-gent of all pretence for treating the measure as one of our 
[dictation, not of His Highness’s choice,—a perverse course, 
jwhich they might otherwise adopt in regard to such details 
las might not exactly correspond with their views. 


I 4. In addition to his consent to the partition His High- 
kess should also be asked to agree either to abide generally 
■by our arbitration of the several questions arising out of 
that measure, or to enter into such specific stipulations on 
these points as it might be thought necessary to require 
of him. 


5. The principal objects for which such stipulations 
would he necessary, or for which our subsequent arbitration 
would be required, are 


1st .—The appropriation of the State treasure,* including 


* Though both the present and 
late Raj Ranas were always needy, 
it was the general opinion that 
this was owing to the family 
practice of never disbursing but 
from the income of the year, 
and never touching the hoard¬ 
ed treasure, which I have heard 
mentioned as considerable. Jt is 


the discharge of all arrears due to 
the army, and the liquidation of 
the other debts of the State pro¬ 
perly so called. Here a question 
would arise as to the disposal of the 


never easy by common means to 
get correct information on such a 


residue, if any, and as to whether the 


I subject; and during my residence Maha Rao should he the sole resi- 

: at Kotah it never became neces- 

sary, and therefore would have duary, or whether the Rai Rana 

been improper to resort to any ^ 

other means. should shave witli His Highness in 

proportion to his share of the territory. If the treasure of 
the State be insufficient for the payment of its debt, the 
Maha Rao should he required to make arrangements to that 







84 CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO ’ 

effect satisfactory to the public creditor by assignments on 
the revenue of bis territory; and to the fulfilment of 
these arrangements it will behove us, I apprehend, to 
see effectually by some means, which, while they answer 
the desired end, shall he as much as possible in unisoni 
with the prohibition by the Home Authorities of any 
guarantee of loans. Among the just claims on the Kotah; 
State, I understand you to concur with me in thinking that 
of Seth Haun Mul entitled to our special consideration; the 
Haj Rana’s debt to him being the sequel of a change in the 
financial Administration of the Kotah Territory, brought 
about by our influence and at our instance. 

2w(i.—The disposal of the present Kotah Army, which 
it is not to be supposed that theMaha Rao would choose to 
retain; while, on the other hand, its disbandment at once 
would, by throwing 12,000 armed men out of bread, be 
dangerous in the extreme to the public peace; and further 
objectionable, as entirely depriving the Maha Rao’s Govern-^t 
ment, for the time and at a moment most critical for its| 
future character and success, of the means requisite for | 
police purposes and other preventives of internal disorder; | 
objections, however, which His Highness’s inexperience ini 
Government would probably lead him to disregard, in pre-i 
ference to continuing of his own accord to retain the Raj | 
Rana’s Troops. The particular means of guarding against | 
these opposite inconveniences, and of providing in the most|| 
effectual and economical manner for the Military duties of I 
His Highness’s new Government, will be an important 
subject of consideration. To me it appears that the latter 
object would be best attained by His Highness’s acceptance | 
of the services of British Officers to discipline and command j 





THE DISMEMBEEMENT OF KOTAH. 


85 


ia Porce of strength proportioned to those duties. I am so 
strongly impressed, however, with the propriety of avoiding 
jevery appearance of seeking advantages for ourselves in the 
partition arrangement, that I hesitate to recommend that 
this part of its details should be stipulated for with the Maha 
Kao, though, if it should be eventually adopted by him on 
our recommendation, it would, I think, be for the good of 
both. I happen to have authentic, though unofficial, infor¬ 
mation that this was one among other propositions recently 
made on the part of the Maha Kao to a high functionary at 
a time when it could not be entertained; and it might now 
|jbe mentioned to His Highness that the objections to a 
compliance with the wish he had then expressed no longer 
iexist. 

6. I have yet another subject to advert to, and it is 
one of which the importance appears to me such that 
I cannot honestly omit its mention, because of the tinge 
my own opinion on it may be supposed to take from its 
relation to my personal interests. It is one among the many 
advantages to be hoped from the arrangement now in pro¬ 
gress at Kotah, that it may, in process of time, admit of the 
withdrawal of our Agent from that Court. But the perma¬ 
nency of this advantage and many others would be utterly 
lost by precipitating that measure, as, if the Agent were 
to be withdrawn as soon as the partition had taken place, 
the Maha Kao’s Principality would, in six months’ time, be 
in a state of anarchy such as to require not merely the 
re-appointment of an Agent, but our still more decided 
interventions, as guardians of the public peace, to re-establish 
order, to the extent necessary, to enabling the Maha Kao 
to perform his duties to us and to his neighbours. His very 









86 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


tribute be would be unable to pay, for he would soon cease | 
to draw a Uupee from his territory, if, indeed, he should ] 
ever succeed in doing so if left to himself. And were such j 
to be the case in the department of finance, it is not to be 
expected that in other respects his Government would be 
more efficient; that it could restrain from aggressions on 
neighbouring States, or effect satisfaction when such occur-ii 
red; that it could coerce or expel predatory bands, afford 
safe transit to travellers and merchandize, or even the 
accommodations required for our troops en route through 
the territory; or, in a word, that it would prove an in¬ 
offensive, not to say an efficient, member of the community 
of States in Central India. Por it is to be recollected that 
this is no parallel case to the accession to power by means 
of a movement of the present Princes of Gwalior and 
Indore. It is, in fact, a case which, while more nearly re¬ 
sembling the restoration of the ancient Princes of Mysore 
and Suttarah, still differs even from these in some important 
particulars, as in these the fallen dynasties left behind 
them a machinery, good or bad, for carrying on the Govern¬ 
ment ; but here the Raj Rana will take away with him 
to his new Capital all that machinery, that is to say, all 
the individuals conversant with the details of Government, 
as they are all his immediate friends, dependants, and rela¬ 
tions, wliose services he could not dispense with in his new 
station, and who, if he did, have all been too deeply con¬ 
cerned against the Maha Rao to venture themselves in his 
power, or to be employed or trusted by him. Under such 
circumstances, it is beyond all hope or probability that the 
Maha Rao should fail to compromise himself if deprived at 
his first outset of the advice and guidance of a residing 
Agent. 



THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


S7 


I 7. Let it not be thought that all these evils could 
be remedied by us at will by the re-appointment of an 
A-gent if found necessary, as this would prove a delusive 

E apposition ; for, not to mention that prevention is always 
etter than remedy, while the withdrawal of the Agent, 
to whose presence the past 16 years have familiarized 
^11 at Kotah, would be, as I firmly believe, particularly 
finwelcome to the Maha Rao himself at the present 
juncture, his return after some interval would be still 
baore so, as it would then be opposed by whatever might 
exist at the time of the nature of a ministry, that is, by 
those who might then be in possession of Maha Rao, and 
whose measures, of course, it would be the object of such 
re-appointment to reform. The position which the Agent 
may now take, and for as long as may be necessary retain, so 
satisfactorily to all parties, and so fitly and advantageously, 
would, on his withdrawal, become otherwise occupied to his 
subsequent exclusion. At present we shall find the Maha 
Rao unpossessed by any party and uncompromised by any 
system of mismanagement. In being guided, therefore, by 
i us for some time to come, he would have none of those hard 
and mortifying sacrifices to make which the discontinuance 
and subsequent renewal of our intervention would entail. 
Let us guide him, then, at his outset, that others may 
not misguide him. His first feelings at the sudden and 
unexpected improvement of his fortunes owing to our 
gratuitous and disinterested exertions will dispose him 
to profit by our advice. Let us not throw away this ad¬ 
vantage in the mistaken belief that we can retrieve it at 
pleasure hereafter, when these feelings shall have become 
deadened by time and by familiarity with his improved 
position. 






88 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


ABSTRACT. 

The Political Agent at Kotab, on leave of absence, sub¬ 
mits some observations on the questions likely to arise in 
the course of the partition of the Kotab Territory, under¬ 
stood to be now in progress. 


From W. H. Macnaghten, Esq., Secretary to Government of India, 
Political Department, with the Governor General, to Lieutenant- 
Colonel N. Alves, Agent to Governor General, Rajpootana, (dated 
Camp Dehli, the 19th February 1838.) 

I AM desired by the Eight Hon’ble the Governor Ge¬ 
neral of India to acquaint you that he has received from 
Major Ross a copy of his letter, addressed to you and dated 
the 8th instant, on the subject of the partition of the Kotab 
Territory, and to state that His Lordship concurs generally 
in the views expressed by that Officer, especially as to the 
propriety of obtaining the formal consent of the Maha Rao 
to the measure of granting a separate Principality to the 
Raj Rana. 


From W. H. Macnaghten, Esq., Secretary to Government of India, ' 
Political Department, with the Governor General, to Lieutenant- 
Colonel N. Alves, Agent to Governor General for the States 
of Rajpootana,— (dated Camp at Kurnaul, the 3rd March 1838.) 

I AM directed by the Right Hon’ble tbe Governor Ge¬ 
neral of India to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, 
dated the 20th ultimo, forwarding copy of correspondence i 
and requesting instructions upon the question of a separate 
Principality for the Raj Ptana of Kotah. 




THE DISMEMBETIMENT OP KOTAII. 


89 


2. In reply, I am desired to communicate to yon as 
follows 

I 3. The Governor General is glad to find that there is 
pow every prospect of a speedy extrication from the ano- 
Inalous and embarrassing position in which the British Go¬ 
vernment and all parties concerned have been placed by the 
provisions contained in the Supplementary Article of the 
Treaty concluded with Kotah on the 26th of December 
jl817. 

i 4. The principle of the new arrangement has been 
agreed to by the Baj Bana, and he must not be permitted 
|to depart from that Agreement. 

1 5. With regard to the succession to the separate Prin- 
ipality, the Governor General will not object so far to 
aodify the previous instructions as to admit of the Baj 
liana’s being placed exactly on the same footing with all 
1 other rulers in Bajpootana. This will include the right of 
inheritance by adoption, if the right is conceded to all 
other rulers in P^ajpootana, and there is no necessity for its 
specification. It would, of course, be understood that the 
succession is to be limited to the descendants of Zalim 
Sing, with whom the Treaty was made. 

6. On the subject of the point discussed in the 11th 
paragraph, I am directed to observe that in the separation 
of the two Principalities, if no part of the tribute and debt 
be charged to the Government of the Baj Bana, ample 
allowance must of course be made to the Alaha Bao while 
assigning the limit of his Principality in consideration of 
this circumstance. 


12 







90 


COERESPONBENCE RELATING TO 


7. The Governor General will be prepared to grant 
suitable titles to the Raj Rana on the completion of the 
new arrangement. 

8. With reference to the concluding portion of your 
letter, the Governor General desires me to observe that you 
will have perceived from my letter of the 19th ultimo 
that His Lordship fully concurs with you in thinking that 
the formal assent of the Maha Rao is essentially requisite 
to the completion of the contemplated arrangement, and it 
will be necessary to enter into separate Treaties with him i 
and the Raj Rana. 

9. You will be pleased to apprize Captain Ludlow of 

the approbation with which the Governor General has 
viewed the ability and judgment which he has displayed in 
the conduct of this negociation. i 


From Lieutenant-Colonel N. Alves, Agent, Governor General, Raj- ' 
pootana, to H. T. Prinsep, Esq., Secretary to Government of India, 
Political Department, Fort William,— (dated Camp Kesho-rai-Patun, , 
the 23rd April 1838.) i 

I HAVE the honor to forward herewith, for the inform¬ 
ation of the Hon’ble the President in Council, and to express! 
my regret that I have been unable to do so at an earlier ; 
moment, copy of my Despatch of the 14th instant, to Mr. 
Secretary Macnaghten’s address, together with copies of all 
the papers that accompanied it, on the subject of the recent 
partition arrangement effected for the separate provision of 
the Raj Rana of Kotah and his descendants, and for the ' 
restoration of the Maha Rao to the direct control and Go- ' 
vernment of the rest of the Kotah possessions. 






THE DISMEMBERMENT OE KOTAH. 


91 


'From Lieutenant-Colonel N. Alves, Agent, Governor General, Rajpoot- 
ana, to W. H. Magnaghten. Esq., Secretary to Government of 
India, with the Governor General,— (dated Camp Kotah, the 14th 
April 1838.) 

I I HAVE the honor to forward herewith, for submission 
to the night Hon’hie the Governor General of India, copies 
of Captain Ludlow’s Despatch to my address of the 12th 
instant, and its enclosures, together with the original Trea¬ 
ties, with appended Schedules and the sketch of country 
alluded to. 


2. As every endeavour has been directed, throughout 
tee negociation, to the accomplishment of the object of a 
separate territorial provision for the Haj Dana and his heirs, 
upon the principles on which the project was originally 
entertained, and agreeably to all the instructions which 
have latterly been issued for the purpose of carrying it into 
execution; and as these endeavours will, I trust, be viewed by 
His Lordship as having been successful in almost every 
respect, and as far as the nature of the tedious and difficult 
negociations admitted of; I hope that the two Treaties, with 
their annexed Schedules, herewith enclosed, will receive His 
Lordship’s confirmation and signature, in order that they 
may be made over to the Maha Hao and Haj Hana respec¬ 
tively, when the counterparts left with them will be received 
back and forwarded for record by the Government of India. 


3. The Treaties themselves and Captain Ludlow’s Re¬ 
port contain almost all necessary information both as to the 
arrangements effected and the manner in which they were 
attained; hut I may still, with reference to the whole subject, 
offer some remarks which will not be considered as super¬ 
fluous. 






92 


COBHESPONDENCE EELATING TO 


4. It will be observed that we have adhered as closely 
as possible throughout to the first proposal of twelve lakhs ^ 
as the amount of revenue of the territory to be allotted to ^ 
the llaj Rana. With good management the territory allotted 
to him may yield more, a result in which, I think, we ought 
to rejoice, because he is saddled with Rupees 80,000 of the 
Kotah tribute, and likewise with the liquidation in four 
years of State debts amounting to nearly fifteen lakhs of 
Rupees, inclusive of interest, and a part of the arrears of, 
the troops. 

5. When a Statement of the public debts was first re- j 
quired, they were roughly estimated at twenty lakhs of 
Rupees : when rendered, the Statement exhibited a list of 
nearly forty lakhs. It was known to Captain Ludlow and 
myself, however, even before the names of the creditors 
were taken down, that many of their claims were little more 
than nominal; and it was determined, therefore, in view to 
saving time and to giving the Raj Rana a fair share of 
debts to pay, that a selection should be made of a few just 
and heavy claims (whose early payment was a duty of the 
Raj) and their liquidation fixed upon the Raj Rana, leaving 
all those that neither pressed for payment nor could be 
duly estimated without investigation for eventual payment 
by the Maha Rao: many of these last are either of very old 
standing, or have been partly compromised by land tenures, 
or other boons ; and some, indeed, are fines exacted by the 
Raj Rana, which he would never have thought of re-paying/ 
as bond fide debts. 

6. The Maha Rao, therefore, will not have nearly so; 
much actual debt to pay as the Raj Rana, while he will' 


THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAII. 


93 


jiave an indefinite length of time to arrange for meeting the 
Remands against his territory. 

I 7. It appeared to me to be essentially necessary that 
loth Chiefs should formally engage to satisfy the just 
lemands of the public creditors, inasmuch as the British 
□rovernment, being the mediator and director of this arrange- 
jnent of separation, would have incurred the odium of the 
OSS which would have been sustained by these creditors had 
10 such engagements been formed. Tlie measure appeared 
uO me, in short, to be due alike to justice and to the British 
)aame as connected with the whole new arrangement. 

8. While the two Chiefs are bound in honor and by 
Treaty, however, to fulfil these pecuniary obligations, the cre¬ 
ditors have received no specific guarantee from us on the sub¬ 
ject. We retain the power to set aside districts in the Baj 
Bana’s Principality for the payment of the debts which he has 
taken on himself to settle should he fail in liquidating any of 
the prescribed instalments; and we have the general power of 
a Treaty over the Maha Pvao to enable us to procure from 
him substantial justice to those whom he has agreed to 
pay. It may be expected that the Pv-aj liana will fulfil 
his engagement sufficiently well to save us the necessity 
of temporarily attaching any of his districts; and I should 
also sanguinely hope that the liquidation of the Malia 
Bao’s share of the debts would not prove a matter of dif¬ 
ficulty or one requiring more than the advice of the British 
Government. 

9. With respect to the districts assigned to the Baj 
Pvana, I may state that his relinquishment of Nanta was made 







CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


apparently with anguish of mind ; for, independently of its 
being considered an old family residence, he was most 
anxious to retain it from the shelter which the Palace would 
have afforded to the females of his family until he should 
have constructed a suitable Palace at Jalra Patun; but 
Nanta could not be left with tlie Raj Rana, as it is situated 
(with a few villages attached) across the Chumbul, only a few 
miles distant from the City of Kotah. The Raj Rana was. 


for obvious reasons, also very averse to give up the District of 
Shahabad; and as no particular objections were opposed to his 
retaining it, he was gratified by being left in possession. So 
exclusively personal do these two tracts"^ 
appear to have been considered by the 
Raj Ranas of Kotah, that the accounts of their revenues 
were not sent to the Pv-aj Dufter, while those of the Chou- 
Mehla were. 


Nanta and Shahabad. 


10. The Raj Rana more than once seriously proposed 
that the Southern Districts of the Kotah Territory should 
not form the basis of his Principality, but that he should 
receive territory adjoining to Shahabad amounting to twelve 
lakhs per annum, with the River Kalee Scinde as the 
boundary between the Maha Rao’s territories and his own. 
This proposition could not be entertained, as its adoption 
would have left the reserved territories of Kotah of a most 
inconvenient and shapeless form, and of vast length from 
north to south in proportion to their breadth. The Raj 
Rana was, in short, most anxious that the Chou-Mehla, from 
being so open to depredations, should not be assigned to 
him along v/ith districts adjoining it. His mind was, 
however, at length more reconciled to the Chou-Mehla from 
being told that the British Government was turning its 


THE DESMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


95 


jnttention to the pacification of that quarter of Malwa. 
iVVhile on this branch of the subject, I should notice that 
I the Raj Rana pressed in the most urgent manner, and nearly 
throughout the negociations, for one of the principal fort- 
iresses of the State, either Sherghur or Gagrone, and that 

! )oth Captain Ludlow and myself had, on several occasions, 
o oppose to him every argument we could adduce against 
he Kotali State being shorn of the lustre and consequence 
rhich, in general opinion, attach to the possession of places 
if the kind; and, moreover, that the R.aj Rana was solicitous 
[to have Shaliabad connected with his southern possessions 
by the inclusion of certain Pergunnahs lying between the 
River Newij and the Districts of Chuppra and Shaliabad; 
but the request was shown to be inadmissible, as either in¬ 
cluding too much territory, or as destroying the compactness 
3f the reserved territories of Kotah. 

11. Respecting Jagheerdars located in the two respec¬ 
tive Principalities, the relations of the Raj Rana, who are at 
present provided for in tlie reserved territories of Kotah in 
an amount of, perhaps, one lakh of Rupees, will lose their 
jagheers, and will fall to be provided for by the Raj Rana. 
The only Kara Sirdar in the latter’s territory will be provided 
for by the Maha Ptao, while all other Jagheerdars, as well 
jas holders of religious and charitable grants, are understood 
jto remain in possession of their present provisions, liable 
only to the customary uncertainties attending such tenures. 
There is only one Jagheerdar of note, I believe, who need be 
mentioned by name, mz.^ Raj IJrjoon Sing, who holds an 
Estate in the reserved territory of the Maha Rao, and 
another in the Shaliabad. The Raj Rana has said that he 
won’t molest him if he pays him. the wonted allegiance of a 








96 


COIITIESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


I 


Jaglieerdar; while the Maha Uao has expressed his desir^ 
that Urjoon Sing should serve him alone and still retain 
his jagheer in Shahahad. His Highness was informed that 
it would be proper for TJrjoon Sing to serve the Uaj Hana; 
hy means of some of his relations and adherents, and to 
vield him such personal homage as is due to a Prince from an i 
Estate held of him ; on which condition he would be entitled ’ 
to keep that which he at present enjoys in Shahahad. 

12. A portion of Shahahad, called Koilwarra, andj 
formerly held in jagheer, was annexed many years ago tcW 
the Eisc; its revenues are included in the estimated value ’ 
of Shahahad, and the tract is, accordingly, included in that i 
district as annexed to the territories assigned to the Eaj Eana » 
after some discussion on the subject with the Maha Eao. , 

13. There is but too evidently no money in the State! 
Treasury; and, in reply to questions on this head, the Haj) 
Eana has invariably answered that, with any surplus ( 
revenue, there would have been no debt, and that debt wasJ 
the result of an expenditure exceeding income. Our con-' 
trasting the flourishing condition of the revenues of Kotahi 
with that of even the first of the States of Rajpootana,ii 
and our remarks on the reduction of expenditure and conse-'^ 
quent savings, which ought to have been effected during| 
years of tranquillity and peace, elicited nothing satisfactory,! 
and, I fear, we must conclude that much wealth has beenj 
misappropriated, squandered, and embezzled. Considering.! 
however,, that the Raj Rana was, de facto, ruler of Kotah, P 
am of opinion that, unless the public accounts should ex- l 
hibit a Treasury balance, we should not scrutinize too closeljlj 
into the past to endeavour to ascertain why there was not, 



THE DISMEMBERMENT OE KOTAH. 


97 


^iie. Prudence, and wliat may be considered to be due to 
die late guaranteed position of the Kaj Rana, will probably 
be deemed sufficient grounds for not disturbing the secrets 
)f the past. 

14. The Maha Rao will enter on his rule with a 
^ompact and fertile territory, yielding a net revenue of fully 
iwenty lakhs per annum, with peaceable neighbours and well- 
fefined borders on all sides, and no very heavy pecuniary 
obligations to fulfil either of a permanent or temporary 
find. His condition, therefore, as one of the principal 
’ulers in Rajwarra, will be one of comparative affluence 
md comfort, and the Raj Rana ought also, under a to- 
erable system of management, to be able to maintain his 
losition as a Prince of secondary rank in a state of res- 
)ectability, and at the same time provide for the good Go- 
nrnment of his territories, whose boundaries are strag¬ 
gling, and in some parts wild and contiguous to bad or 
ndifferent neighbours, on the sides of Soandwara and 
Lheecheewarra. 

15. If the Raj Pi^ana shall be deemed to have held 
•ack more than he ought or might have been expected 
0 do from completing the arrangement after having as- 
ented to its principle, it will be remembered that, so long 
,s a British Agent was resident at this Court, he felt secure 
n his administration; and that, therefore, to have ensured 
he manifestation of less reluctance to his acceptance of a 
eparate Principality, it would have been necessary that the 
government of India should have taken some steps, which 
hould have left his Government to rest, more than it did, 
>n its own intrinsic merits. 


13 






98 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


16. As reasons existed, however, for not risking 
result of any such experiment, the vacillating conduct of thy 
Raj Rana is very naturally referrible to two motives, the I 
one being latent hope (kept alive by those around him)^j 
that the old system might possibly be continued even unde^ 
some modification ; and the other, the impression that the 1 
better terms he struggled for, the better provision he wa^ 
likely to have made for himself and descendants in the end^ 
With respect to the first expectation, I have to state thak 
I received a khureetah from the Maha Rana of Oodeypoie 
only a few days before the Raj Rana signed his Treatjf 
from which I could plainly gather that His Highness would 
have been glad to see an arrangement effected by whick 
things should remain as nearly as possible on the old foot-- 
ing. The Raj Rana may possibly have known also thati 
Rawul Byree Saul of Jyepore was of the same mind as 
Maha Rana; and in such circumstances his endeavours to] 
protract the negociation were very natural. |j 

17. These sentiments of the Maha Rana and Byree^: 

Saul are, no doubt, the offspring of personal feeling rathei ; 
than of a deliberate consideration of the question of partij 
tion as remotely affecting the interests of Rajwarra hy tho 
principle adopted. The Rao Rajah of Boondee is, on tkj 
other hand, greatly interested in the arrangement as bein^ 
beneficial to the Maha Rao of Kotah, and I entertain littlif 
doubt but that it will eventually give general satisfaction i 
as the objects and motives for its accomplishments must b t 
well understood throughout Rajpootana. || 

18. I hope that His Lordship will authorize the con i 
ferring of a suitable khillut of investiture on the Raf 





THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAII. 


99 


Rana, and the acceptance of a moderate nuzzerana from 
[lim in return, and I beg to further suggest that the Kaj 
iRana’s mind would imbibe a salutary degree of confidence 
were His Lordship, in conferring suitable titles on him, to 
(issure him of protection and favor. 

19. As the details of the arrangements approached to 
maturity, the Maha Hao and his advisers began percepti- 
|3ly to think of, and to offer, objections, which, if listened to, 
would have had the effect of embarrassing the whole negocia- 
f,ion and protracting it to an inconvenient length of time, 
paptain Ludlow, therefore, addressed His Highness on the 
ll5th ultimo, in reply to bis khureeta of the 7th of the 
same, for the purpose of obtaining from him a paper which 
should ensure his acquiescence to the terms of partition so 
soon as they were finally settled with the Haj Lana. 

20. His Highness’s reply evinced a strong inclination 
to have a voice in the details of the arrangement and to cut 
down the Raj Rana’s portion of the territory as much as 
possible. In ordinary circumstances it would have been 
advisable to consult the Maha Rao, but as everything 
which his servants were informed of was very sure to 

I be carried clandestinely to the Raj Rana, and as it would 
1 have been indispensable to point out to the Maha Rao 
' every arrangement in favor to the Raj Rana’s claims, and to 
i inform him of the views of the Governor General of India, 
Major Ross, &c., with regard to the extent of territory 
which might be sacrificed in order to accomplish the great 
object in view, before he and his servants could have been 
brought to a sense of what was due to the Raj Rana, it is 
very clear that such discussions (when secretly carried 






100 


COERESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


to that personage) would have had the effect of strengthen¬ 
ing the Eaj Rana’s servants, and inducing them and himself 
to set forth demands more inadmissible than any that were] 
made. 

21. I have thought this explanation necessary to t 
do away with any appearance of harshness which may ; 
be thought to attach to the correspondence between Captainj] 
Ludlow and the Maha Lao, the letters and proceedings of ' 
the former having been guided by my advice. Captain j 
Ludlow visited, and had a private interview with, the Maha i 
Lao on the afternoon of the 23rd ultimo, and persuaded f 
him of the propriety of signing the paper required; and I i 
have great pleasure in adding that His Highness executed 
his new Treaty on the 10th instant in a most cheerful 
manner at the Agency; and, when the business was over, j 
expressed himself in terms of .gratitude for what had beenj 
effected in his behalf, and requested that he might be viewed 
as one desirous of evincing devotion to the British Govern¬ 
ment should occasion ever arise for calling his personal 
services into action. 

22. I now have the honor to acknowledge the receipt 
of your two Despatches of the 3rd and 22nd ultimo, in con¬ 
formity with the instructions contained in which the Treaties 
with the Maha Lao and Laj Lana have been concluded, and 
beg to explain that the meaning which I intended my 
remarks on the eventual reversion of the Chou-Mehla to 
bear was chiefly this, namely, that no reversionary right to 
that tract of territory was contemplated at the time the 
cession was exacted from Holkar. I entirely concur in the 
view of the cession, which considers it to have been out of i! 







THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


101 


Holkar’s power to resist acquiescence in the measure, but I 
also of opinion that the cession was exacted because 
Zalim Sing rented the four districts when the Treaty of 
^Mundesor was formed,—a circumstance in favor of my opi¬ 
nion, that the British Government never thought of even- 
jtually acquiring them for itself. It is certain, however, 
that, though ceded expressly for Zalim Sing, they have been 
{formally annexed to the Kotah Territory by the British 
|Government. Should the Raj Rana’s Principality eventu¬ 
ally lapse from want of heirs, the grant of the Chou-Mehla 
having been virtually made to Zalim Sing and his heirs, but 
little difficulty would be experienced in having that tract 
iplaced at the command of the British Government, in con¬ 
nection with the re-annexation to Kotah of those districts 
which have now been severed from it. 

23. His Lordship will perceive that the obligation to 
maintain a body of troops Officered by British Officers 
has been incurred by the Maha Rao; and I hope that 
the sum to be set apart for the purpose, as limited to three 
lakhs of Rupees per annum, will be deemed a sufficient 
amount. With respect to the origin of the proposition, mz.^ 
the Maha Rao’s having offered at a former period to main¬ 
tain a Porce of the kind, we have no grounds for assuming 
that His Highness ever did so; and, with respect to the 
necessity of the measure, I may mention that the Raj Rana 
will carry with him the three Puttuns of orderlies and about 
one thousand men of the body of Buldeos, and will not accord¬ 
ingly leave a larger Porce behind him than the Maha Rao 
will require for a time; there is not likely, therefore, to be 
any great disbandment of troops, nor any eventual insubor¬ 
dination amongst them, provided they be pretty regularly 




102 


COIIUESPONDENCE KELA.TTNG TO 


paid, though some dissatisfaction may possibly he evinced 
at the moment of separation on account of arrears of pay, 
unless care he taken to impart confidence and to satisfy all 
just demands at so critical a moment. His Lordship will, 
perhaps, he guided by the progress of events here and the 
future condition of the Kotah Treasury in deciding upon 
the formation of such a Porce at all, or for selecting the 
proper period for its organization should the measure be de¬ 
termined upon. 

24. In conclusion, I hope I shall be excused for notic¬ 
ing Captain Ludlow’s unceasing and able exertions through¬ 
out these negociations, in which he took a prominent part, 
and which required for being matured much and various 
information in detail, which had to he procured from the 
ilaj Authorities and noted down by that Ofiicer. 

ABSTRACT. 

The Agent, Governor General, forwards copy of Captain 
Ludlow’s Report of 12th April 1838, with Appendices and 
Treaties signed by the Maha Rao and Raj Rana of Kotah, 
for confirmation by the Right Hon’ble the Governor 
General of India. Expresses a hope that the partition of 
the Kotah Territories, as effected to provide separately for 
the Raj Rana, will be approved; and enters, in some detail, . 
into the particulars of the negociation and adjustment of 
the whole qnestion. 




THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


103 


From Captain J. -Ludlow, Officiating Political Agent, Harowtee, to 
Lieutenant-Colonel N. Alves, Agent, Governor General, for the 
States of Rajpootana,— (dated Kotah, the 12th April 1838.) 

In continuation of my Despatch of the 7th of Febru¬ 
ary last, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your 
letter of the 15th ultimo, giving cover to one from Mr. 
Secretary Macnaghten, bearing date the 3rd idem, and to 
.report, for the information of the Fight Hon’ble the Go¬ 
vernor General, the further progress of the negociation of a 
separate sovereignty for Faj Fana Muddun Sing, which 
ilias been followed up to completion during your presence 
iupon the spot, and under your immediate authority. 

I 2. For the apportionment of Pergunnahs yielding an 
annual revenue of 12 lakhs of Fupees, the Faj Authorities 
had been called upon, prior to your arrival, to furnish 
detailed lists of the revenue derived in the last four years 
from the several districts of the Kotah State. These were 
required to distinguish the net amount paid into the Go¬ 
vernment Treasury from the value of lands assigned in 
jagheer, or as charitable grants, and to particularize the 
caste of each incumbent, the dates of installation, the 
condition of tenure, and such other points as might appear 
essential to the satisfactory elucidation of the claims upon 
each several Pergunnah. 

3. A Statement of debts, exhibiting the period at 
which they were incurred and the nature of the public 
emergency which suggested recourse to a loan, a Feturn 
of the Military Establishments, and a Schedule of the arrears 
due to the troops, were also called for, but the preparation 
of these details was retarded by the recent succession of 





104 


CORRESPONDENCE RET,ATING TO 


Hindoo festivals, and by the alarms, doubts,‘and idle antici¬ 
pations which have been from time to time awakened in the 
Haj Hana’s mind by interested advisers around him, who 
perceived that the change about to take place was calculated 
to narrow the sphere of their influence and to circumscribe 
their emoluments. 

4. Erom the financial Statements which have been 
furnished by the Pi-aj Authorities the average revenue of 
the last four years appears somewhat to exceed 33 lakhs of 
Rupees, about ^th of which is given in jagheer, in endow¬ 
ments of temples, or for the maintenance of the priesthood. 
But the revenues of Shahahad and Kanta are excluded 
from this reckoning, as are also those derived from the 
maintenance of a vast number of Government ploughs and 
other less profitable resources ; the aggregate net revenue, 
therefore, may be taken at 33 or 34 lakhs of Ilnpees. 

5. The paper marked 1 of the Appendix denotes the 
17 Pergunnahs which have been allotted for the Ilaj Rana’s 
new Principality of Jhalawar, the designation by which he 
wishes it to be distinguished; and though, on reference to the 
former apparent limits of the Kotah State, the portion 
Avhicli has been severed would seem to amount to at least 
l^rd of the entire territory, it will be borne in mind that 
two of the possessions, viz., the Chou-Mehla and Shahabad, 
belonged, de facto, to Zalim Sing’s descendants; Avhile Kanta, 
which was granted to him in jagheer, has reverted, with its 
Palaces, to the Khalsa of the State, together with the 
jagheedar lands (yielding about Rupees one lakh per annum), 
which have long been the possessions of the Raj Rana’s 
family or connections. 


THE DISMEMBEEMENT OE KOTAH. 


105 


6. Mr, Metcalfe, when Resident at Delhi, remarked in 
paragraph 5 of his Report of the 5th January 1818 on Kotali 
iitfairs : Shahabad is the personal estate of Raj Rana Zaliin 
Sing, and the Agents were very anxious that the tribute 
Should be remitted in his favor;” and Captain Tod, in his 
Annals of Uajasthan, has, in reference to the grant of 
Ohou Mehla, recorded the following remarkable passage :— 
[‘The circumstances attending the conveyance of this gift 
itforded an estimate of Zalim Sing’s determination never 
to relinquish his authority; for w^hen the Sunnud was 
tendered in his own name, he declined it, desiring the 
insertion of that of his master, the Maha Rao. At the 
time it appeared an act of disinterested magnanimity, 
but subsequent acts allowed us to form a more correct 
appreciation of his motives;” and Mr. Secretary Swinton, 
in his letter of the 16th April 1822, on this subject, 
observes: “ It occurs to His Lordship that the basis of the 
proposed separate Principality might be found in the Per- 

. The Choa Mehla. g«“nahs of GuMgrar,* &c., ceded by 
Holkar to the State of Kotah by the 
Treaty of Mundisor. The object of the British Govern¬ 
ment in obtaining that cession was to reward the zeal and 
fidelity of Zalim Sing, and they were annexed to the Kotah 
Territory.” 

7, It will appear, therefore, that in the Principality 
assigned to Muddun Sing are included the hereditary or 
acquired possessions above alluded to, yielding a sum 
approaching to half of the entire resources of Jhalawar. In 
other terms, Kotah can only be said to have contributed 
territory yielding about six lakhs of Rupees, while the income 
derived from Zalim Sing’s personal estates and jagheers 

14 





106 


COEEESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


(including those in his family) swells the amount to twelve. 
I may here remark that the Chou Mehla is the notorious 
resort of depredators, to restrain whom it will he necessary 
to maintain considerable Military and Police Establishments; 
and that Shahahad, with reference to its extent, is compara¬ 
tively unproductive and shunned from the insalubrity 
of its climate. Jagheerdar Horse, in number 182, and; 
Eoot, amounting to 227, render nominal or actual Military^ 
service for lands held by their masters in the Pergunnahs| 
of Jhalawar, hut the attendance of many of these hm 
been always excused. As at present organized, the effici-i 
ency of those who serve is very questionable, and the sum oi 
Kupees 80,000, which will be paid by the Raj Rana or 
account of the Kotah tribute, may be considered a fair offset 
against any advantages he may derive from Military service 
rendered by the feudatories of his Principality. 

8. While, by the arrangement which has been deteri 
mined upon, the limits of Jhalawar bordering on Kotah ard 
so well defined by natural boundaries of river and hil 
as to preclude the possibility of any reasonable groum 
of future cavil, the Territory of Kotah is preserved com 
pact and in the proud possession of her two importan 
Ports, Gagrone and Shergurh, and also of the Pass o 
Mukundra, which commands the southern entrance int*' 
Haraotee. The plan adopted, it will be observed, is only ai 
extension of that which was recommended to Governmen 
by Political Agent Caulfield in his letter to Sir Havi' 
Ochterlony, under date the 12th of January 1823, andi' 
must he esteemed a fortunate event that in the whole c 
Jhalawar there was but one Hara Jagheerdar; and the pos' 
sessions of this Chief having been included in the 12 lakb 



THE DISMEMBEEMENT OP KOTAH. 


107 


t This, it will be observed 
in No. 2 of the Appendix, in¬ 
cludes the claim of Mnngnee 
Ram Zorawnr Mul, the pay¬ 
ment of which was negotiat- 
(Cd by Mr. C. E. Trevelyan 
in 1830. 


of territory, he will be provided for by his clansman the 
Maha Kao. 

9. As the Schedule of State debts* represented an 
* Nos. 2 and 3 of the Ap. ^mount of nearly 40 lakhs of Rupees, 
it became necessary to investigate the 
nature and particulars of the several claims of the thirty- 
seven creditors, and the result having shown that two-thirds 
are capable of easy compromise, the bond 
fide claims of three principal firms, 
amounting to Rupees 13,26,137-7-9,f 
have been allotted for discharge by 
Muddun Sing within a period of four 
years by a stipulation of the Treaty, which, while obviating 
the embarrassment of a formal guarantee, leaves it within the 
power of the British Government, in failure of the regular 
payment of thehalf-yearlyinstalments, to ensure their liquida¬ 
tion by assignments on lands to be set apart for that purpose. 


X Rupees 
due. 


10. The Statement of arrears due to the Troops presents 
8,000 since Rupces 8,43,826-15, J for 

the settlement of a portion of which, 
as also for the satisfaction of claims of public servants who 
may not accompany the Chief of Jhalawar, the revenue 
derived from the present spring crop is to be appropriated, 
the disbursements being made under the authority of the 
Officiating Political Agent. This arrangement, however, 
is not calculated to deprive His Highness the Maha Rao 
of present pecuniary resources, as the Raj Rana will probably 
take upon himself the payment of the arrears of about half 
of the Military and nearly all the Civil Establishments, which 
he will require for the Government of his country : the 





108 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


I 


liquidation of the claims of the remainder will be provided 
for by the Maha Uao. Punds will thus become available 
for current expenses, while the Government stores of grain 
and cloth, valued at nearly 4 lakhs of Rupees, furnish a 
tangible resource in the event of any unforeseen and im¬ 
mediate pecuniary emergency. 

11. The Raj Rana has solemnly declared his Exchequer 
empty, and the condition into which the State has been 
plunged by accumulated debt would appear evidence of the 
truth of this assertion. It is possible, however, that the 
repeated agitation of the question of a separate Principality 
may have disposed the Raj Rana, in the anticipation of the 
event, to make a private purse, and that the secret of 
his having done so is confided to a single individual; but, 
from the information which I have gathered, there would 
appear to exist only a vague and unsupported suspicion on 
this head. Though there is no doubt of some of the mem¬ 
bers of his family being in affluent circumstances from 
bequests of his father and grandfather, he himself is believed | 
to possess little in value beyond household plate, the per- j 
sonal jewels of himself and family, and other domestic pro-| 
perty. 

12. Though Muddun Sing has made his election andt 
considered a separate sovereignty preferable to the retention 
of the executive control under such checks as the British: 
Government might think necessary to impose by placing! 
a portion of the Kotah Troops under the command of I 
British Officers and by extending the powers of the Locals! 
Agent, the whole course of the negotiation has evinced the; 
eagerness with which he would have secured the endurance ! 




THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


109 


I of his office even at a heavy pecuniary sacrifice. This 
i disposition has been manifested not only in his appeals 
; to the Court of Oodeypore and other quarters for an exertion 
^ of influence for obtaining the continuance of the old state of 
things, hut in his repeated offers to increase the amount 
i of nuzzerana to the Maha Rao, and to pay whatever amount 
i of tribute the British Government might require. But, 
i surrounded by interested advisers and with a mind ill con- 
j stituted to embrace a comprehensive view of his true position 
j or of their real motives, it cannot he surprizing that repeat- 
!i ed checks have been opposed to the progress of the negotia¬ 
tion even to its latest stage. 

13. The departure of the Baj Rana for Jalra Patun, 
the seat of his new Government, has been flxed for the 
27th instant, and it is my purpose to accompany him to be 
present at the ceremony of inauguration. He has expressed 

I a desire to be dismissed with honor by the Maha Rao, and to 
I be invested with a khillut from the British Government. Por 
I the first named we can satisfactorily provide, hut as regards 
I the latter, the Raj Rana has been informed that his wishes 
will be made known to His Lordship in Council. 

I 

i 

14. Contrary to his previously-formed intention Raj 
i Rana Muddun Sing wishes to retain the title which he at 

present holds, but he is desirous that the prefix Maha should 
be conferred upon him, whereby he would be styled Maha 
Raj Rana. 


15. In the devolution of the affairs of the Kotah 
Government upon the Maha Rao, it becomes essential to 
enquire in how far he may be considered capable, by ability 



110 


COREESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


or disposition, for the exercise of efficient and popular 
control. The thraldom in which he has been hitherto placed 
was ill calculated to improve or sharpen his natural faculties; 
but having superintended the management of his household 
and the expenditure of an income of nearly two lakhs of 
Eupees per annum, he, with the support and advice of the 
Local Political Agent, might be expected to assume the reins 
of Government under circumstances, perhaps, as favorable 
as other Princes of Eajwarra. Possessing no personal ene¬ 
mies, whose machinations he can dread, with numerous 
(hitherto depressed) Hara kinsmen eager to flock around 
him and strengthen and support his authority; untram¬ 
melled by debts, the liquidation of which is unprovided for; 
and unreproached by vice or inordinate indulgence, I am not 
aware of the existence of any prominent objection to his 
being placed in unrestrained control, whenever the arrange¬ 
ments arising out of the separation shall have been com¬ 
pleted. In the district the Local Officers will continue to 
conduct their duties as heretofore, and a judicious selection 
may he made for situations of official trust amongst His 
Highness’s Mutsuddees, some of whom have displayed 
acuteness and familiarity with Revenue accounts in the ' 
late scrutiny to which they were admitted : to these might 
he added such State machinery as circumstances may ^ 
require. I 

16. In advocating the foregoing course, I am in a mea- 1 
sure influenced by the undisguised repugnance with which! 
the Maha Rao has admitted the insertion of the 5th Article ! 
of the accompanying Treaty relative to the maintenance • 
of a Porce under British Officers, and by its having appear-l. 
ed, on my visit to His Highness after the receipt of his i 



THE DISMEMBEKMENT OE KOTAH. 


Ill 


1 khureetah of the 17th March, that his real sentiments 
I had been only imperfectly conveyed in that communication : 

I on that occasion no third person was present. His High- 
1 , ness urged that regard should be paid to his superior 
;rank, and that there existed no necessity for placing the 
I Raj Rana on a par in point of income with the King of 
i Delhi; but these and many other points he readily yielded to 
^ my arguments, and proceeded, in the submissive, but earnest, 
jitone of one anxious to escape from thraldom at any cost 
which should not involve dishonor, to explain that the 
['establishment of Troops under British Ofidcers within the 
Kotah Territory, and a more close surveillance of his affairs 
of Government, would only remove him from one condition 
of subjection and restrain to another; and that, although 
the position in which it was intended to place him would be 
i improved, it must be considered an humiliating one in the 
I eyes of the Princes of Rajwarra. He offered to pay the 
[expenses of the Agency, promised to he guided in all mate- 
I rial points by the advice of the British Government, declar¬ 
ed that nothing was to be dreaded in placing him in unres- 
I trained control, for the exercise of which he considered 
himself fully competent, and most earnestly pressed that the 
[insertion of a Clause for embodying Troops under British 
Officers might not be insisted upon; or, in the event of this 
point not being conceded to his wishes, that the Porce should 
be stationed upon the frontier to preserve appearances. 
But he begged to disabuse us of the impression of his 
'having tendered a proposal of the nature above described 
I either to the Hon’ble the Lieutenant-Governor or to 
any other public Authority; he challenged the proof of 
[having done so, observing that any khureetah wherein 
1 such is contained must prove a forgery, and that, if the pro- 




112 


COTIUESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


posal had been verbally communicated, it was wholly with¬ 
out his sanction and authority. 

17. Under the foregoing circumstances, it remains to 
be considered whether it were advisable, in the apprehension 
of the Maha Rao’s inefficient exercise of control, to establish 
the Uorce in question ; or whether the experiment might not ^ 
he tried of testing by experience his temper and efficiency j 
which, I consider, would receive a wholesome stimulus 
by a communication from His Lordship to the effect that 
unpopular or defective control would infallibly be followed 
by more direct interference upon our part, and by the estab¬ 
lishment of the Troops, as stipulated in the 5th Article. 

18. The presence of a Political Agent at Kotah must, 
I conceive, be requisite for some years, nor will his scrutiny 
into the Maha Rao’s early exercise of authority fail to be 
productive of wholesome results. I am inclined, however, xo 
consider that these alone will be the extent of the restraint 
which should he imposed, but the further illustration of this ' 
essential point I leave in your abler hands. 

19. The accompanying sketch of the Kotah Princi-' 
pality, enlarged from a Map of North-Western India, will 
serve to show, with tolerable accuracy, the limits of the new 
Territory of Jhalawar. The relative positions of the several 
districts have been ascertained from the viva voce explana-i 
tions of Raj Hurcarahs, or individuals residing in the 
quarters, regarding which information was desired; but tliis i 
course was only resorted to after it had been declared by 
the Raj Authorities beyond their power to furnish any 
description of Map of the country. In obtaining various: 
information relative to local position, the several resources!,' 



THE DISMEMBEUMENT OF KOTAH. 


113 


if revenue, and other details essential to the determination 
if the limits of the tract which was to be allotted to Muddun 
Sing, I have derived much valuable assistance from Sah 
^anick Chund, who has since been nominated on our part 
o act in concert with the Maha Rao’s and the Raj Rana’s 
Igents to ascertain the state of the public Treasury, &c., 
^nd for the apportionment of one-third of the Guns, Cattle, 
Stores, Ammunition, State paraphernalia, and other move- 
ihle property for the use of the Chief of Jhalawar, hut 
doughs, grain, &c., will remain, as heretofore, in the districts 
)f either State to which they properly belong. 

20. Herewith I have the honor to enclose the Treaties 
with their appended Schedules) signed by Raj Rana Muddun 
Ing and His Highness the Maha Rao, respectively, on the 
ith and 10th instant, and, while I feel relieved by your 
resence and by your perfect knowledge of all circum- 
tances connected with the separation which has been effected 
letween these personages from the necessity of further 
xtending this Report, I must express my sense of the advan- 
ages derived from your aid and advice, to which must be 
,scribed the satisfactory termination which, I trust, the 
legotiation will be considered to have attained. 

ABSTRACT. 

Captain Ludlow, in continuation of his Report of the 
'th of Rebruary, on Rotah affairs, communicates further 
idings relative to the negotiation of a separate Principality 
or Raj Pvana Muddun Sing, which has been successively 
)rought to bear, and forwards the Treaties entered into with 
Silaha Pv-ao Ram Sing of Kotah and Raj Rana Muddun 
hng, for ratification by the Governor General of India. 

15 






114 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


No. 1. 


Schedule of Pergunnahs set apart to constitute a separate Principality for 
Pay Pana Muddun Sing agreeably to the ^nd Article of the Treaty 


Chechut. 

The Chou-Mehla, comprising 

Jalra Patun, commonly call¬ 
ed Oormal. 

Reenchwa. 

Bukanee. 

Delunpoor. 

Kotra Bhalta. 

Sureruh. 

Rutlaee. 


Sukait. 

Puchpahar. 

Ahore. 

Deg. 

Gungrar. 

Munohur Thanah. 

Phool Burode. 

Chachoornee. 

Kukoornee. 

Cheepa Barode. 

The portion of Shergurh be 3 mnd, or 
east of, the Purwun or Neewuj. 
Shahahad. 


Pergunnahs. 


(Sd.) J. Ludlow, 

Offg. Political Agent, 


No. 2. 

Schedule of Pelts to he liquidated by Pay Pana Aluddun Sing agreeably 
to the lOM Article of the Treaty :— 

Ps. A. P. 

To Mungnee Ram, Zorawur Mul ... 6,14,476 13 3 

„ Ramjee Das, Tunsookh Das... ... 4,43,821 3 6 

„ Mohun Ram, Rukub Das ... ... 2,67,893 7 0 


(Sd.) J. Ludlow, 

Offg. Political Agent, 





THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


115 


No. 3. 

Schedule of Debts for liquidation hy the MaJia Rao of Kotah agreeably to 


the 2>rd Article of the Treaty :— 


To Pundit Lallajee Ram Chund 
„ Gordhun Nathjee 
„ Bythul Nathjee 
„ Lalla Soojun Chund 
„ Jug-gunath Seetaram 
„ Sheolal of Pun war 
,, Keshooram Byjnath. 

„ Gobind Das Ram Gopal 
,, Gunesh Das Kishnajee 
„ Moujee Ram Moolchund ... 
„ Duljee Munee Ram 
„ Kunhee Ram Bohranath 
„ Bohra Kameshur 
,, Sobha Chund Motee Chund 
„ Sheojee Ram Oodi Chund ... 

Bhag Chund of Badora 
„ Bohra Sree Chund Gunga Ram 
„ Mohun Ram Hur Lai 
Nund Ram Peeroo Lai 
„ Oomeid Ram Bhyroo Ram ... 
„ Gopal Das Bunmalee Das ... 
,, Sail Jeewun Ram 
,, Soojan Mul Sher Mul 
Mohun Lai Bued 
,, Saligram 

,, Luchmungur Hureegur 
„ Bohra Daoodjee Khanjee ... 
,, Sah Munguljee 
„ Sah Humeer Bued 
„ Dooljee Chund Ootum Chund 
,, Madhoo Mukund 


Rs. A. P. 
9 , 27,364 15 6 

30,643 
3 , 75,176 
56,196 
1 , 00,825 
10,033 
2 , 41,747 12 
20,441 1 

20,281 9 
3,893 12 
4 , 57,796 0 

40,819 
47,703 
15,671 
348 
547 
6,383 
• 1,134 
7,473 13 
9,771 9 
2,908 13 
835 14 
24,487 8 

55,423 13 
14,554 0 
10,901 0 

11,588 6 
8,948 5 
1 , 09,617 10 
13,195 10 
1,095 13 


6 

0 

0 

9 

0 

9 

3 

9 

6 

0 

0 

6 

9 

3 

6 

3 

9 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

6 

3 

6 

0 

9 







116 


COREESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


Schedule of Belts for l^uidation ly the Maha Bao of Kotah agreeably to^ 
the ?>rd Article of the Treaty.—{ConiAmiQ^.) J 

Bs. A. P. . 


525 11 3 

182 15 9 


To Bohra Bulee Bhaee 
„ Buklitawur Mul Buhadoor Mul 
„ Chungun Kaloo Nugur 



(Sd.) J. Ludlow, 

Offg. Political Agent. 


Translation of a Khureetali from Captain Ludlow, Officiating Political 
Agent in Harowtee, to Raj Rana Muddun Sing, of Kotah,—(dated; 
the 16th March 1838.) 

Haying forwarded your letter of the 23rd of January, 
to the address of the Right Hon’ble the Governor General of, 
India, to its destination through Lieutenant-Colonel Alves,; 
an acknowledgment has been received by that Officer from 
Mr. Secretary Macnaghten, in which His Lordship’s senti- i 
ments have been conveyed. 

His Lordship is happy that you have assented to the ? 
acceptance of a separate Principality, and considers your ^ 
determination in the important matter to have been marked i 
by judgment and discretion. 

I have now particular satisfaction in informing you that i 
His Lordship is also prepared to confirm to you and to your ‘ 
heirs and successors a separate Principality on the same i 
footing with regard to inheritance as other rulers in Raj- * 
pootana are placed: the Raj to descend to the heirs of the i 
late Raj Rana Zalim Sing upon that principle. 



THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


117 


I His Lordsliip will, moreover, be prepared to grant suit¬ 
able titles for yourself and your successors as soon as the 
new arrangement shall have been completed. 

My friend, I am confident that this information will 
i prove of a very gratifying nature to you, and induce you to 
I exert yourself and cause your servants to exert themselves 
j in maturing the arrangement with expedition. 

i The particulars have already been intimated to you by 
j Lieutenant-Colonel Alves and myself; but in order to decide 
the exact extent of territory to be separated from Kotah for 
yourself and your heirs, it is indispensable that you should 
show the amount of State debts, of arrears due to the troops, 
of State treasure in hand, and furnish me with these parti¬ 
culars as soon as possible. 


From Raj Rana Muddun Sing, to the address of Captain Ludlow, Offi¬ 
ciating Political Agent at Kotah, dated the 26th Zilhij 1253 Hijree, 
corresponding with 23rd March 1838. 

I HAVE been rendered happy in the receipt of your 
khureeta of the 19th Zilhij, in which you express satisfac¬ 
tion at the disposition evinced by the Right Hon’ble the 
Governor General in Council to extend to me a separate 
Principality, which shall descend in hereditary succession in 
my family, according to the custom of Rajpootana, and also 
to confer upon me a suitable style of address. His Excel¬ 
lency the Governor General of India, who is the cherisher of 
his well-wishers, wfill, doubtless, feel inclined to advance my 
interests; and you, my friend, are cordially and earnestly 
engaged in promoting my welfare. You will therefore, in 




118 


COERESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


the event of territory being set apart for me, after appor¬ 
tioning a tract yielding more than 12 lakhs of Rupees, and 
having made the requisite arrangements for the liquidation 
of debts and for whatever may tend to my advantage being 
continued to my family in perpetuity, address a letter in 
reply to the Right Hon’ble the Governor General to'the 
above effect. Then, in fulfilment of your promise, it behoves 
you to grant a tract of country suitable to my maintenance; 
a Fortress as a place of residence for my family; a pro¬ 
portion of the Guns, and more especially of the various 
Establishments; to arrange for the payment of public debts 
for conferring upon me a title and Princely dignities (which 
through your favor have been promised by the British 
Government), and thus leave me pledged to you in gratitude 
and obligation. . 

The fulfilment of the foregoing will be at once pleasing 
to the Government of India and satisfactory to myself. 

As I, your guileless friend, am supported and sustained 
by the protection of the British Government, I feel a con¬ 
fident assurance that a Fort will he granted as a residence 
for my family. 

I have already, as suggested by yourself, enjoined expe¬ 
dition in the preparation of a Statement of debts and of 
arrears due to the troops, and these will he furnished by 
degrees. 

With regard to treasure, I beg to state that nothing is 
hidden from your Government, and that all will he made 
apparent in the Accounts of receipt and disbursement. 




I 

i 


THE DISMEMBERMENT OE KOTAH. 


119 


i 

^ Translation of a Klmreetah from Eaj Rana Muddun Sing, to Captain 
^ Ludlow, Officiating Political Agent in Harowtee, bearing date 
the 8th April 1838. 

‘ I HAVE learned from Moonsliee Punnah Lai that you 
' have not included the Districts of Aturoo and Koondee 
1 among those allotted for me in a paper which is to be 
I appended to the Treaty; and I have been greatly astonished 
I at the communication, because the pergunnahs on the road 
[to Shahabad were promised to me, and now how have 
I you determined the question ? Again, in the first instance, 

I you promised that tribute should not be exacted, and on 
[the following day you determined it must he paid. Then 
the revenue of Shahabad, together with Jagheerdar lands, 
have been taken into account at Eupees 1,57,000 the Tuh- 
* Where no remission is sccl Kham,^ whcrcas it is with the great- 
est difficulty, inclusive of the said Ja¬ 
gheerdar lands, that Eupees 10,000 can be collected. 

If you determine the Shahabad Eevenue at Eupees 
i 1,00,000, it will he acceptable, otherwise the Portress of 
Gagrone and territory yielding a lakh of Eupees, which I 
before asked for, must be granted to me. Nothing has 
been determined upon by you upon the subject of placing 
me in possession of Nanta. 

As to-day has been fixed upon for signing and sealing, 
I trouble you with this letter, that you may favor me 
with specific replies to the foregoing points. You will 
also direct that, till I reach my own seat of Government, 
my authority here shall continue. These points effected, 
I shall he enabled to visit you with my seals. I learn 
from objections set forth by the Maha Eao’s Mutsuddees, 




120 


COERESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


s 

His Highness desires to tax the Public Aecounts; hut S 
as I have furnished correct papers, in which details are ' 
entered for the sake of setting all suspicion at rest, the , 
objections advanced are unreasonable and improper. As 
I, your friend, filled the Administration as master in the . 
State, no one has any right to interfere. I hope that in < 
future no objections will be made. 


Translation of a Khureetah from Captain Ludlow, Officiating Political I 
Agent in Harowtee, to the address of the Raj Rana Mudddn Sing, J 
bearing date the 8th April 1838. 

My friend, having communicated the contents of your . 
khureetah to Lieutenant-Colonel Alves, I now, with his 
advice, address you in reply. 

About ten or twelve days ago, when you visited me, '! 
the Colonel and myself produced the Map and pointed, 
out the Pergunnahs which were to be allotted for you, 
and it was at that time agreed that the portion of Sher- 
gurh beyond the Purwun* and the 
* The Neewuj. District of Cheepa Barode should also 

be included in your Principality. You neither then nor 
previously asked for the Pergunnahs of Aturoo and Koondee 
in my presence, and now your request is inadmissible. 
With regard to what you state upon the subject of the 
payment of tribute, it must be remarked that the proposal 
came in the first instance from yourself, at which time 
also you offered to bear the expense of a Besident Political 
Agent; and the day before yesterday, when I requested you 
to consent to a tribute payment, you agreed that the 
sum on this account should be fixed at Bupees 80,000 



THE DISMEMBERMENT OP KOTAH. 


121 


per annum: this agreement was entered into with your 
full concurrence and approbation. A tribute payment had 
not previously been required, from a supposition that the 
net revenues of the Kotali State were greater than they 
prove to be, and moreover there are services rendered by 
Jagheerdars in your Principality from which you will derive 
advantage, though this circumstance was not explained by 
you. 


Now I request you to consider the great extent of 
territory which has been allotted for your Principality; 
and as regards what you have said with reference to Shaha- 
bad it is true that the papers which you have furnished 
show a gross revenue of E^upees 1,57,000, which includes 
Jagheerdar and charitable grants, but in estimating re¬ 
sources of the Pergunnahs set apart for you, the revenue 
of Sliahabad has been set under one lakh of Eupees. 

You must know that what has been decided upon must 
have effect, and I request your presence this evening at 6 
o’clock, as it is the intention of His Highness the Maha Eao 
to come before that hour; but should you decline coming, 
I am directed by the Colonel Sahib to visit you. 

As to what you have said upon the subject of the 
intention of the Maha Eao’s Mutsuddees to tax the State 
Accounts, I beg you to disregard what they may say, and 
to rest assured that whatever shall come to pass will have 
effect with the cognizance and sanction of the British 
Government. But in the event of your objecting to the 
matured arrangements which have been made, the sum 
of twelve lakhs of Eupees will be allotted for your main- 

16 



122 


COllEESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


tenance in some otlier way, in which fewer districts will pass 
away from the hands of the Maha Rao. 

You have been already frequently told that you could 
not be placed in possession of Nanta, and it is useless to 
repeat the request. 


Translation of a Klinreetali from Maha Rao Ram Sing, of Kotah, to 
the address of Captain Ludlow, Officiating- Political Ag-ent in 
Harowtee, bearing- date Fagoon Soodee 12tli, corresponding with 
the 7th March 1838. 

To that which you, my friend, may determine in regard 
to the affairs of this Principality, I entirely assent, and 
I feel assured that the decision which shall be arrived at 
will secure my own rights and advantage. 


Translation of a Khureetah from Captain Ludlow, Officiating Political - 
Agent in Harowtee, to the address of Maha Rao Ram Sing, , 
dated the 15th March 1838. 

I HAVE had the pleasure to receive your letter of Eagoon 
Soodee 12th, in which you express your assent to whatever 
may be determined upon with regard to the Kotah State, as 
it would tend to your advantage. 

My friend, the Government of India have had the 
welfare of the Kotah State and its people much at heart, 
and a full consideration for your Highness’s interests ; and 1 
have now much satisfaction in intimating to you that E-aji 
Rana Muddun Sing has agreed to accept of a separate Prin¬ 
cipality for himself and his heirs. 





THE DISMEMBERMENT OE KOTAII. 


123 


Without this assent nothing could he done to deprive 
him and his heirs of the administration of any part of this 
Principality by reason of the Treaty and the great services 
Iperformed by Paj liana Zalim Sing, who preserved the 
jKotah Territory amidst surrounding anarchy and confusion, 
and kept it flourishing in the midst of devastation and 
waste on all sides. 

: The proposed arrangements have been well considered 

by the British Government, and more in detail by Colonel 
Alves and myself, and we are prepared to proceed in the 
important measure under instructions received from the 
Right Hon’ble the Governor General of India. 


As a preliminary step, however, it will be proper that 
your Highness should, without loss of time, place your seal 
and signature to a letter to the following effect, mz., that you 
will formally recognize the validity of the transfer of any dis¬ 
tricts of the Kotah Territory which may be permanently as¬ 
signed to Raj Rana Muddun Sing and his heirs, and that you 
will entirely agree to such arrangements as shall be made for 
payment of tribute, for the liquidation of the debts of the 
State, for the payment of the arrears of the troops, and, in 
short, for all subordinate matters arising out of the general 
arrangement. 


I am informed that your Highness once offered to 
maintain a body of troops under the command of British 
Offlcers, but that the proposal could not then be accepted, 
as other concomitant arrangements could not be accomplish¬ 
ed at that time. Now, however, it would appear proper 
that your Highness should give a written assent under your 


COllEESPONDENCE EELATING TO 


134 

seal and signature to this proposition, as the British Govern¬ 
ment may think proper to approve of embodying a small 
efidcient Borce to be organized for the purpose of keeping 
your Highness’s Territories and their frontiers free from de¬ 
predators, and ensuring to the inhabitants security for their 
lives and property. 


Translation of a Kliureetah from Maha K,ao Eam Sing, of Kotah, to the 
address of Captain Ludlow, Officiating Political Agent, and bear¬ 
ing date Mittee Chuet Buddee 6th Sumbut, corresponding with the 
17th March 1838. 

After the usual complimentary introduction and a 
recapitulation of the contents of the Officiating Political 
Agent’s letter of the 15th of March. 

My friend, I have not opposed, nor will I oppose, that 
which the British Government and yourself may advise and 
consider as tending to my benefit, but to reflect upon what is , 
due to the dignity of this Principality is becoming in sl 
Paramount Authority. 

You will consider that, after Baj Zalim Sing had pro¬ 
vided for the safety and security of the country, he obtained! 
his exalted dignity from my grandfather, and every servant 
who obtains advancement from his master owes his rise to 
his faithful services. You are probably aware of the cir¬ 
cumstances under which the said Baj Bana came to Kotah, 
and also of his certain meritorious* 
iiomcaiiy. acts indeed, there is no occasion for 

me to express them in writing. 1 




THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


125 


j Now you have prepared to set apart certain Pergunnahs 
i in perpetuity for Raj Eana Muddun Sing, to which arrange- 
! ment I agree, but the territory should he, in point of extent, 

I suitable to the wants of a servant and administrator, because 
the superior merits of those who filled the post prior to Zalim 
i Sing are notorious; they, indeed, performed the more suh- 
■ stantial services. 

I am distressed at the separation of districts from this 
hereditary Principality, which owes its origin to my fore- 
i fathers, but it is my most earnest wish to comply with your 
: suggestions, and I hope you will inform me of the number 
I of Pergunnahs which are to be set apart and the amount of 
their revenue. I am not, nor wlil I be, opposed to the 
course which you may recommend. 

You have written to the effect that I must agree to 
whatever the British Government may determine relative to 
the amount of tribute to be paid, the payment of the State 
i debts, and the arrears due to the troops, and to all minor 
I matters arising out of this important arrangement. My reply 
j is as follows;—About seven or eight years ago, when Captain 
i * Should be Mr. 0. E. Trcvclyan* was here, there was a dis- 
Treveiyan. upon the subject of former debts, 

and Raj Rana Madhoo Sing, deceased, showed their amount 
to be Rupees 15,00,000, and the aforesaid gentleman ar¬ 
ranged with the creditors for their payment by instalments 
of two and half lakhs per annum by assignments. The 
period for their liquidation has passed, and no State debts 
remain to be settled. Those which Raj Muddun Sing has 
represented he is himself responsible for, and it is improper 
to fix them upon the State, as it is well known that, after 





126 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


the death of Eaj Madhoo Sing, Raj Muddun Sing expend¬ 
ed lakhs of Rupees in his marriage and in other ways; 
and such profuseness should not be approved of either by the 
British Government or by myself. As to the balance of 
arrears due to the troops, it must be remembered that 
Captain Tod recommended Raj Zalim Sing to reduce them 
to one-half of their strength, and the various inroads from 
all quarters have since been repressed by the influence of | 
the British name. How, then, can the troops be in arrears ; 
of pay ? Besides, at the time Muddun Sing assumed the | 
management of affairs, I warned him, when I invested him. 
with a khillut in presence of Mr. Wilkinson, to pay the ' 
troops monthly and not to incur public debts, and also to j 
pay the British tribute regularly; to all of which he agreed, | 
therefore he is responsible for the arrears of the troops and 
also for the public debts. * 

With reference to what you have said upon the subject 
of maintaining a British Rorce to suppress robbers and“ 
plunderers, and for the protection of the frontiers, my friend, 1 
my reply is, that by British influence the oppression of;' 
the lawless has ceased, and there are no frontier disputes! 
with the Kotah State; therefore, under the favor of the; 
British name, the security of the country can he well pro-j 
vided for; and whenever it may be necessary, I will apply; 
for assistance from your Government. 

I am confident that in whatever Lieutenant-Colonelii 
Alves and yourself may determine in my behalf the pros-] 
perity of the State will he considered. 







THE DISMEMBEKMENT OF KOTAH. 


127 


! Translation of a Kliureetah from Captain Ludlow, Officiating Political 
Agent in Harowtee, to the address of Maha Rao Ram Sing, of 
Kotah, dated the 17th March 1838. 

Aftee, compliments and acknowledgment of His High¬ 
ness’s communication. 

I have experienced regret and disappointment that 
j your Highness should have felt the slightest hesitation in 
: embracing with eagerness a proposal in which your own 
i advantage alone is involved. 1 beg you to recall to mind 
that Zalim Sing elevated himself to his exalted station’ 
by his superior qualifications, and did not owe his power 
to your ancestor’s favor. He preserved the State of Kotah 
when all around was anarchy and confusion, and improved 
: its condition; but for his exertions Kotah, like the neigh- 
! bouring Principalities, would have been laid waste or absorb- 
! ed by other States. In those days the British Government 
I knew Zalim Sing alone, and it is probable that, had he 
I been so disposed, the Treaty with the British Government 
j would have been made out in his own name. Raj Rana 
j Zalim Sing was the ostensible servant, but the virtual 
master of the Kotah State: this is the true state of the 
case. I apprehend that you could not have been aware 
of these circumstances, and that those around you have 
j disguised the truth from your Highness. 

i 

It is necessary that your Highness should take the 
foregoing under your serious refiection, and, after due deli¬ 
beration, sign and seal the accompanying paper (should 
you deem it expedient to do so) and return it. It is the 
same which accompanied my letter of the 15th of March, 
but it must be perfectly understood that your Highness 



128 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


can have no voice in the minor arrangements of the present 
negociation. 


You have represented that neither debts nor arrears 
of troops remain to be paid by the State, but that these 
claims must be answered by the Raj Eana, and I have, 
in consequence, communicated the foregoing particulars. As 
Colonel Alves’s stay at Kotah cannot extend beyond a very 
few days, and as the negociation cannot be brought to a 
conclusion unless you sign the paper in question, I request 
you will affix your seal and signature and return it to 
me without loss of time. 

Your Highness should understand that either the ar¬ 
rangement to which the British Government has consented 
should be conducted with the consent of the Raj Rana 
Muddun Sing, or that the old state of things will be con¬ 
tinued. 

With regard to what you have written upon the subject 
of retaining a British Borce, my friend, there is no reference 
to anything of the sort in my khureetah, nor is such intend- i 
ed. My intention was that a small Borce, to be selected | 
from the Troops of Kotah, should be embodied and disci- \ 
plined by British Officers and paid by the Kotah State. 

I am informed that your Highness formerly made this 
proposition to the Honorable the Lieutenant-Governor, and; 
you will now accept of the same terms; hut should you I 
hereafter desire to make any representation upon the subject f 
to the Governor General, it shall he duly reported. In 
reply to the desire which you express to be informed oi; 



THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAII. 


129 


! 

I 

jthe number of Pergunnahs, and their estimated revenue, 
(which are to he made over to the Raj Rana, my friend, 
fl must assure you that no good result could be obtained 
I’by you in possessing this information, as, were I to place 
upon paper the amount of territory which the British Go¬ 
vernment are prepared to assign to Muddun Sing, it would 
only have the effect of inducing him to demand more; 
and under any circumstances it is absolutely requisite to 
Satisfy and to act justly towards him. 


Translation of a Khureetah from Maha Rao Ram Sing, to the address 
I of Captain Ludlow, Officiating Political Agent in Harowtee, dated 

Chuet Buddee 12th, corresponding with 23rd March 1838. 

After recapitulation of the Officiating Political Agent’s 
letter of the 17th of March, and stating that its contents 
proved a source of regret and astonishment to him. 

My friend, in my former khureetah I furnished replies 
to all the points which you have adduced, and there is no 
occasion for writing them again. 

Rest assured that Raj Zalim Sing presented himself 
before my grandfather, and became elevated to his post by 
faithful services: this is known throughout Rajwarra and 
to all the world, and the British Government are aw^are of 
the truth of this assertion. Let it be remembered that the 
Treaty between the British Government and the Kotah 
Principality was formally ratified, and after a lapse of some 
months the Supplementary Article was added thereto; but in 
that very Treaty it appears that the said Zalim Sing is de¬ 
clared my Mookhtearkar. 


17 







130 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


In the first Article of the Treaty it is stipulated that 
there shall he perpetual friendship and unity of interests 
between the British Government and Oined Sing Bahadoor, 
the Bajah of Kotah, and his heirs and successors. 


My friend, reflect that the said Baj Bana never added 
to this State, which has been the acquisition of my ancestors, 
beyond the Pergunnahs of Chou-Mehla, &c., which were 
given in return for blood shed by my noble relatives, and 
for the services rendered in the British interests by the 
Kotah Troops. I beg you to consider what new territory 
he added to the Kotah State during his administra¬ 
tion. It is the duty of honest service to provide for the 
security of the country, and then it is well known that 
he performed such acts as well be- 


* This ironically. 


came^ him. 


Now, as regards the arrangements which Lieutenant- 
Colonel Alves and yourself are making for my benefit, my 
own interests are not therein apparent in any way, and 
I therefore trouble you with the following:— 


I agree to the allotment of Pergunnahs for Baj Muddun 
Sing, but their extent must be such as circumstances war¬ 
rant, and it must be enquired to what extent treasure has 
been amassed during his administration. Por the last 20 
years the country has become more flourishing, and its 
revenue has increased; and since the prevalence of British 
influence oppression and spoliation have been suppressed: 
due investigation must be made. But, on the contrary, 
it appears that considerable debts have been contracted, 
besides which the various descriptions of wealth, which my 


THE DISMEMBEEMENT OP KOTAH. 


131 


ancestors had collected, have been taken out of the Port. 
I require a reply from the Administrator to all these points. 
As to what you have written upon the subject of the 
maintenance of a British Porce to he formed out of the 
army of Kotah, it is clearly explained in the 10th Article 
of the Treaty that the Maha Bao and his successors shall 
remain absolute rulers of the country, and the Civil and 
Criminal jurisdiction of the British Government shall not 
be introduced into that Principality : thus the establishment 
of a British Porce would he opposed to the stipulation of 
the Treaty. But your friend is neither opposed, nor will be 
opposed, to what you may determine upon, and you will order 
all things for the advantage and prosperity of this Baj in 
the spirit of the firm friendship (with the British Govern¬ 
ment) specified in the Treaty. 


Translation of a Khureetah from Maha Rao Ram Sing, of Kotali, to tlie 
. address of Captain Ludlow, Officiating Political Agent in Harowtee. 

Received 34tli March 1838. 

My friend, I have returned the paper of Articles of. 
Agreement signed agreeably to the wishes and counsel of 
Colonel Alves and yourself, hut your own credit will he 
enhanced in promoting the advantage and prosperity of this 
Baj : you will keep in view the stipulations of the Treaty 
entered into between the British Government and Maha Bao 
Omed Sing, deceased, and not depart therefrom. 

I have neither opposed, nor will I reject, the advice 
which you, my friend, have tendered ; but you must in every 
way determine according to the principles of equity. 



132 


COEREStONDENCE RELATING TO 


Certain statements and details, which it is proper I 
should represent, it will be requisite that you should 
approve. 


Articles of Agreement signed by Maha Rao Ram Sing, of Kotah, bearing 
date the 17 th March 1838. 

1. I agree to set apart in perpetuity from the Prinei- 
pality of Kotah certain Pergunnahs in sovereignty for Kaj 
E-ana Muddun Sing, to deseend to his heirs, as has been 
suggested by the British Government. 

2. Whatever the British Government may determine 
upon in regard to the payment of tribute, I agree to 
abide by. 

3. I assent to whatever decision the British Govern¬ 
ment may arrive at with regard to the discharge of the debts 
of the Kotah State. 

4. I agree to the plan which the British Government 
may point out for the liquidation of the arrears due to the 
troops. 


5. In all minor points arising out of the important 
matter under eonsideration, I agree to abide by the deeision 
of the British Government. 

6. I assent to the maintenanee of a body of Troops to 
be formed out of the army of Kotah, and to be eommanded 
and disciplined by British Officers: these will be embodied 
for the security of the country, and their pay shall be fur¬ 
nished from the Treasury of the State. 



THE DISMEMBEllMENT OF KOTAH. 


133 


I Translation of a Kliureetab from Captain Ludlow, Officiating Political 

Agent in Harowtee, to the address of Maha Rao Ram Sing, of 

Kotah, dated the 24th March 1838. 

I HAVE received your Highness's letter hearing date 
Chuet Buddee 13th Sumbut 1894, with a paper of six Articles 
i of Agreement under your seal. The contents of your com- 
1 munication I have thoroughly comprehended. 

My friend, what you have determined upon is judicious, 

I and now the arrangements in the matter can be persevered 
in. You must rest satisfied that, in the measures about to 
be carried into effect, whatever may tend to your Highness’s 
advantage and that of the Raj of Kotah shall have effect 
in all points wherein the just claims of Raj Rana Muddun 
Sing shall not be compromised; and whatever you may have 
to communicate in the matter you will be pleased to make 
known through your Vakeels. 

My friend, that which you may write to me upon the 
subject of a Military Rorce I will duly refiect upon, and 
bring to the notice of Government; but everything con¬ 
nected with the pending arrangements will have effect under 
the sanction and authority of the Sudur. Your Highness 
must rest assured that, though the British Government are 
in no way disposed to take part in the interior arrangements 
of the Kotah State, or in those of any other Principality, it 
is possible that, in the transfer of the executive control, 
some steps on their part may he necessary for its stability 
and support. Your Highness will repose full reliance upon 
the friendship of the British Government, and feel that your 
interests are secure on being confided to their decision. 



134 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


Treaty between the British Government and Maha Rao Ram Sing, 
of Kotah. 

Article 1. 

Consequent upon the relinquishment by Raj Rana 
Muddun Sing of the administration of the affairs of the 
Kotah Principality, guaranteed by the Supplementary Article 
of the Treaty of Delhi to Raj Rana Zalim Sing, his heirs 
and successors, Maha Rao Ram Sing assents to the repeal 
of the said Article. 

Article 2. 

With the consent of the British Government, the 
Maha Rao agrees to cede the Pergunnahs specified in the 
annexed Schedule to Raj Rana Muddun Sing, his heirs and 
successors. 

Article 3. 

The Maha Rao, his heirs and successors, will fulfil the 
pecuniary obligations arising out of the present arrange¬ 
ments of separation and transfer agreeably to the appended 
Schedule. 

Article 4. 

The Maha Rao agrees for himself, his heirs and suc¬ 
cessors, to pay the tribute as heretofore paid by the Kotah 
State, with the exception of the sum of Company’s Rupees 
eight thousand per annum, which the British Government 
have agreed to receive from Raj Rana Muddun Sing, his 
heirs and successors; the first payment to be made by the 
Raj Rana at the beginning of the Sumbut year 1895. The 
second half-yearly instalment at present due on account of 
the fusul rubee for Sumbut 1891 will be paid in full, 
Rupees 1,32,360, by the Principality of Kotah. 


THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


135 


' Article 5. 

The Maha Rao agrees for himself, his heirs and succes¬ 
sors, to maintain an Auxiliary Porce, to be commanded and 
(paid by British Officers, should the British Government 
decide that the measure is expedient; it being clearly 
! understood that the existence of such Borce shall in no 
; way interfere with the Maha Bao, his heirs and successors’ 
[exercise of power in the internal administration of the 
[affairs of the Kotah State. 

'' Article 6. 

The expense of such Borce shall never exceed Bupees 

three lakhs jier annum. 

[ Article 7. 

i If the Borce shall be raised, the funds for its main- 
[tenance shall be paid to the British Government by the 
Administration of the Maha Bao, his heirs and successors, 

: in two half-yearly instalments, along with the tribute; and 
' the period for the first payment will be fixed by the British 
Government. 

; Article 8. 

: It is to be clearly understood that all the stipulations 

i contained in the Treaty concladed at Delhi between the 
British Government and Maha Bao Omed Sing Bahadoor, 
on 26th of December 1817, which are not affected by the 
provisions of the present Treaty, shall remain in full force. 

Article 9. 

! The foregoing Articles of Treaty having been con- 
. eluded between the British Government and Maha Bao 
i Bam Sing, of Kotah, and signed and sealed by Captain 
I John Ludlow, Officiating Political Agent, and Lieutenant* 



136 


CORUESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


Colonel Nathaniel Alves, Agent to the Governor General 
for the States of Eajpootana, on the one part, and Maha 
nao Ham Sing, on the other, the ratification of the same 
by the Right Hon’ble the Governor General shall be 
exchanged within two months from this date. 

Done at Kotah. 

This 10th day of April 1838. 

Signed and Sealed. 

J. Ludlow, Sealed by 

Ofg. Poltl. Agent- Maha Rao Ram Sino. 

Signed and Sealed. 

N. Altes, 

Agent, Govr. Genl. 


Schedule appended to the Treaty of Pergunnahs set apart to constitute 
a separate PrincipaUty for Pay Rana Muddun Sing Bahadoor, his 
heirs and successors, under the designation of Jhalmoar. 


Checliut. 

The Chou-Mehla, comprising 

I 

Jalra Patun, commonly call¬ 
ed Oormal. 

Reenchwa. 

Bukanee. 

Delunpoor. 

Kotra Bhalta. 

Sureruh. 

Rutlaee. 


Sukait. 

Puchpahar. 

Ahore. 

Deg. 

Gungrar. 

Munohur Thanah. 

Phool Burode. 

Chachoornee. 

Kukoornee. 

Cheepa Barode. 

The portion of Sherghur beyond 
or east of, the Purwun or Neewuj 
Shahabad. 








THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


137 


It is to be understood that Nirput Sing will remove 
from the territory of Jhalawar into that of the Maha Eao, 
and that his lands lapse to the Eaj Eana. 


Xotah, \0tJi April 1838. 

Signed and Sealed. 


J. Ludlow, 
Offj. Poltl. Agent, 

Signed and Sealed, 

N. A LYES, 
Agent, Govr. Genl. 


Signed and Sealed 
Eaj Rana Muddun Sin&. 


Schedule, appended to the Treaty, of Belts for liquidation by the Maha 
Rao, his heirs and successors, agr§eably to the 2>rd Article of the said 


Treaty :—• 

Rs. 

A. 

P. 

To 

Pundit Lallajee Ram Cliund 

... 9,27,364 

15 

6 


Gordliun Nathjee 

30,643 

5 

6 


Bjthul Nathjee 

... 3,75,176 

0 

0 


Lalla Soojun Chund ... 

56,196 

1 

0 


Juggunatli Seetaram... 

... 1,00,825 

4 

9 


Sheolal of Pun war ... 

10,033 

4 

0 

5i 

Keshooram Byjnath ... 

... 2,41,747 

12 

9 

yy 

Gohind Das Ram Gopal 

20,441 

1 

3 

>y 

Gunesh Das Kishnajee 

20,281 

9 

9 

yy 

Moujee Ram Moolchund 

3,893 

12 

6 

yy 

Duljee Munee Ram ... 

... 4,57,796 

0 

0 

yy 

Kunhee Ram Bohranath 

40,819 

1 

0 

yy 

Bohra Kamesliur 

47,703 

8 

6 

yy 

Sohha Chund Motee Chund 

15,671 

2 

9 

yy 

Sheojee Ram Oodi Chund 

348 

7 

3 

yy 

Bhag Chund of Badora 

547 

18 

2 

6 














138 


COERESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


To Bohra Sree Cliiuid Gunga Ram 
„ INTolmn Ram Hur Lai 
,, Nund Ram Peeroo Lai 
,, Oomeid Ram Bliyroo Ram 
„ Gopal Das Bunmalee Das 
,, Sah Jeewun Ram 
„ Soojan Mul Slier Mul 
„ Mohun Lai Bued 
„ Saliqram 

„ Liichmungur Hureegur 
„ Bohra Daoodjee Khanjee 
,, Sah Munguljee 
„ Sah Hurneer Bued 
„ Dooljee Chund Ootum Chund 
,, Madhoo Mukuud 
„ Bohra Bulee Bhaee ... 

,, Bukhtawur Mul Buhadoor Mul 
„ Chuugun Kaloo Nugur 


7?^. A. P. 
6,383 3 3 

1,134 1 9 

7,473 13 0 

9,771 9 0 

3,908 13 0 

835 14 0 

34,487 8 0 

65,433 13 0 

14,554 0 0 

10,901 0 0 

11,588 6 6 

8,948 5 3 

1 , 09,617 10 6 

13,195 10 0 

1,095 13 9 

535 11 3 

183 15 9 

50,000 0 0 


I: 

A' 


The above claims will be individually satisfied by tlie‘i| 
Mafia Pvao after due enquiry agreeably to the circumstances*! 
of each. The Mafia Uao will also settle any other just I 
debts, should they exist, that may on enquiry prove to be' 
justly chargeable to the Kotafi State. 


Kotah, lOtJi April 1838. 

Signed and Sealed. 

J. Ludlow, A ^ Sealed by 

OJ(/. Poltl Agent. ^ Maiia Rao Ram Sing. 

Signed and Sealed. ‘ 


N. Alves, 
Agent, Govr. Oenl. 











THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


139 


Raj Rana Muddhn Sing having agreed to relinquish the administration 
i of the aifairs of the Kotah Principality guaranteed by the Supple- 

I mentary Article of the Treaty of Delhi to Raj Rana Zalim SinGj 

his heirs and successors, the present Treaty is formed between 
; the British Government and Raj Rana Muddun Sing aforesaid. 

j Article 1. 

: The Supplementary Article of the Treaty of Delhi, 

1 bearing date the 20th of Eehruary 1818, between Maha Rao 
Omed Sing Bahadoor, the Rajah of Kotah, and the British 
Government, is hereby repealed. 

Article 2. 

The British Government agree, with the consent pre- 
, viously obtained from Maha Rao Ram Sing of Kotah, to 
\ grant to Raj Rana Muddun Sing, his heirs and successors 
I (being the descendants of Raj Rana Zalim Sing), according 
! to the custom of succession obtaining in Rajwarra, a sepa¬ 
rate Principality to be formed out of the Kotah State, 
and consisting of the pergunnahs specified in the annexed 
t Schedule. 

, Article 3. 

! The British Government will confer appropriate titles 
upon the Raj Rana, his heirs and successors. 

Article 4. 

There shall be perpetual friendship, alliance, and unity 
of interests between the British Government on the one 
hand, and Raj Rana Muddun Sing, his heirs and successors, 
on the other. 

Article 5. 

The British Government engages to take Raj Rana 
Muddun Sing’s Principality under its protection. 




140 


COREESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


Article 6. 

The Eaj Eana, his heirs and successors, will always act: 
in subordinate co-operation with the British Government, 
acknowledging its supremacy, and engaging not to have any 
connection with the Chiefs of other States, in disputes with 
which they agree to abide by the decision of the British 
Government. 

Article 7 . 

The Baj Bana and his heirs and successors will not 
enter into negotiations with any Chief or State without the 
sanction of the British Government, but their customary 
amicable correspondence with friends and relatives shall 
be continued. 

Article 8. 

The troops of the Principality of Baj Bana Muddun 
Sing, according to its means, will be furnished at the 
requisition of the British Government. 

Article 9. 

The Baj Bana and his heirs and successors shall 
remain absolute rulers of the country, and the civil and . 
criminal jurisdiction of the British Government shall not i 
be introduced into the Principality. 


Article 10. 

The Baj Bana, his heirs and successors, will fulfil the 
pecuniary obligations involved in the present arrangements i 
of separation and transfer by assignments on land agreeably* 
to the appended Schedule, and abide by the decision of the i 
British Government in all minor points arising out of the 
said separation. ; 




THE DISMEMBERMENT OE KOTAH. 


141 


Article 11. 

The Eaj Uana, his heirs and successors, will pay as 
tribute to the British Government the yearly sum of 
Company’s Bupees 80,000 by two half-yearly instalments 
of Bupees 40,000 each, viz.i the “ khureef,” or Mittee Poos 
Soodee Poorun Mashee, and the ‘‘ruhee,” or Mittee Jaet 
Soodee Poorun Mashee, commencing with the khureef 
instalment of Sumbut 1895. 


Article 12. 

This Treaty of twelve Articles having been concluded 
at Kotah, and signed and sealed by Captaie John Ludlow, 
Officiating Political Agent, and Lieutenant-Colonel Natha¬ 
niel Alves, Agent to the Governor General for the States of 
Bajpootana, on the one part, and Baj Bana Muddun Sing on 
the other, the ratification of the same by the Bight Honour¬ 
able the Governor General of India shall be exchanged 
within two months from this date. 

Done at Kotah. 

This '^th day of April 1838. 


Signed and Sealed. 



J. Ludlow, 



Qffg. Poltl. Agent. 



Signed and Sealed 
Eaj Eana Muddun Sinu. 


Signed and Sealed. 


N. Alves, 
Agent, Oovr. Qenl. 







143 


COREESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


Schedule, appended to the Treaty, of Pergunnahs set apart to he constituted 
a separate Prineipality for llaj Rana Muddun Sing Bahadoor, his 
heirs and successors, under the designation of Jhalawar 


Checliut. 


The Chou-Mehkj comprisiu 



Jalra Patun, commonly call¬ 
ed Oormal. 

Reenchwa. 

Bukanee. 

Delunpoor. 

Kotra Bhalta. 

Sureruh. 

Rutlaee. 


Sukait. 

Puchpahar. 

Aliore. 

Deg. 

Gungrar. 

Munohur Thanah. 

Phool Burode. 

Chachoornee. 

Kukoornee. 

Cheepa Barode. 

The portion of Sherghur beyond^ or 
east of, the Purwun or Neewuj. 
Shahabad. 


It is to be distinctly understood that Nirput Sing will 
remove from the territory of Jhalawar into that of the 
Maha Bao, and that his lands lapse to the Uaj liana. 


Kotali, \0tli April 1838. 


Signed and Sealed. 


J. Ludlow, 

Ofg. Poltl. Agent. 


Signed and Sealed. 

N. Altes, 
Agent, Govr. Genl. 


Seal of 

Maha Rao Ram Sing. 






THE DISMEMBEKMENT OF KOTAH. 


143 


Schedule of debts to be liquidated by Baj Rana Muddun Sing, his heirs 
and successors, agreeably to the \^th Article of the accompanying 
Treaty :— 

Debts. 

To Mungnee Earn, Zorawur Mul ... Ks. 6^14476 13 3 

„ Eamjee DaSj Tunsookh Das ... „ 4,43,821 3 6 

,, Mohun Earn, Eukub Das ... ,, 2,67,839 7 0 

Haj E/ana Muddun Sing agrees to pay on account of 
the above debts, within seven days after installation in bis 
new Principality, the sum of Eupees three lakhs twenty-six 
thousand one hundred and thirty-seven seven annas and 
nine pies (Eupees 3,26,137-7-9), and subsequently, within 
four years, by half-yearly instalments the balance amount¬ 
ing to Eupees eleven lakhs forty-five thousand two hundred 
and seventeen (Eupees 11,45,217), in which is included inter¬ 
est at 8 annas per cent, per mensem, or, at each fusul, as 
stated below, and to liquidate the entire amount within 
a period of four years ; failing in which the British Govern¬ 
ment will have it at their option to arrange for the pay¬ 
ment of the debts by setting apart a portion of the country 
of Jhalawar for that purpose, the first instalment to he 
paid in the month Kartick Soodee Poorun Mashee Sumbut 
1895, and the 2nd instalment in the month Bysak Soodee 
Poorun Mashee Sumbut 1896. 

Amount of Instalments (interest included) to be paid as follows:^ 


1st 

Instalment 



... Es. 

1,50,000 

2nd 

ditto 

... 


... „ 

1,50,000 

3rd 

ditto 



... ,, 

1,50,000 

4tli 

ditto 

... 


... „ 

1,50,000 

5 th 

ditto 

... 


... „ 

1,50,000 

6 th 

ditto 

... 


... 

1,50,000 










144 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


7tli Instalment ... ... ... Rs. 1,50,000 

Sth ditto ... ... ... }, 95,217 

Kotah, Sth April 1838. 


Signed and Sealed. 

J. Ludlow, 
Offg. Foltl. Agent. 

Signed and Sealed. 

N. Alyes, 
Agent, Govr. Genl. 


Signed and Sealed 
Eaj Eana Muddun Seng. 


From W. H. Macnaghten, Esq., Secretary to Government of India, 
Political Department, with the Governor General, to Lieutenant- 
Colonel N. Alves, Agent to Governor General for the States of 
Eajpootana,—dated Simla, the 1st May 1838. 

I AM directed by the Kight Hon’ble the Governor 
General of India to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, 
dated the 14th ultimo, with its enclosures, relative to the 
arrangements made for a separation of territory between 
the Maha Hao and Eaj Eana of Kotah. 

2. In reply, I am desired to acquaint you that those 
arrangements appear to^be perfectly satisfactory, and leave 
little for His Lordship to do but to record his sense of the 
patience, ability, and discretion manifested by yourself 
and Captain Ludlow throughout the progress of this deli¬ 
cate negotiation. 

3. The Treaties which accompanied your letter are 
returned herewith duly ratified by the Governor General. 






THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


145 


4. In conformity with the suggestion contained in 
your communication a letter for the Raj Rana is sent here¬ 
with assuring him of His Lordship’s protection and favour. 
You will observe that he has been addressed as rnler of 
Jhallawar, and by the title of Maha Raj Rana, which, from 
the 14th paragraph of Captain Ludlow’s letter to your ad¬ 
dress, would appear to be the title most acceptable to him. 

5. There is one point on which you and Captain Lud¬ 
low do not appear to have rightly apprehended the views 
and sentiments of Government, and that is with regard to 
the design entertained of appointing British Officers to the 
command of the Kotah troops. The provision inserted in 
the Treaty with that view is sufficient; but in the 23rd 
paragraph of your letter and in the 16th and I7th of that 
from Captain Ludlow there are expressions which would 
lead to the supposition that the design in question was 
entertained only in the event of, or as a check to, misgo- 
vernment, and that the troops so commanded were to be 
employed only in the suppression of depredations and in 
the maintenance of internal tranquillity. This, however, is 
by no means the case. The object is one of general policy, 
and it is intended, as favourable opportunities may occur, 
to introduce similar arrangements elsewhere, and especially 
where, as among the States of Rajpootana generally, there 
is a specific provision promising subordinate co-operation in 
the existing Treaties. The British Government is charged 
with the responsibility of maintaining general peace and 
of defending the territories of all its dependent allies against 
aggression. It is but reasonable, therefore, where the troops 
of such allies are incompetent, from their want of discipline, 
to contribute to the general defence of the empire, that 

19 


146 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


means should be adopted for introducing an efficient reform, 
at least among such a portion of them as shall be sufficient 
to afford useful assistance to the protecting power. 

6. Although, therefore, it is not the intention of the 
Governor General prematurely to press the proposed arrange¬ 
ments, so as to occasion serious inconvenience to the Maha 
Px.ao, His Lordship desires that His Highness may be ap¬ 
prized of the principle of the measure, and that he may not 
be encouraged in the notion that its being carried into effect 
or otherwise will depend on the mode on which the Kotah 
territories may he administered. 

7. You are authorized to confer on the Maha Haj 
Hana of Jhalawar a khillut of investiture in the name 
of the Governor General, and to receive an equivalent nuz- 
zurana in return. 

8. You have not recommended that any letter should 
be written to the Maha Hao on this occasion; nevertheless. 
His Lordship deems it advisable that he should be written 
to: a letter (of which a copy is herewith sent for your infor¬ 
mation) to the Maha Hao"s address accordingly accompa¬ 
nies, which you will deliver or withhold at your discretion. 


From Major C. Thoresby, Officiating Agent, Governor General, for 
the States of Kajpootana, to F. Currie, Esq., Secretary to Govern¬ 
ment of India, Political Department, Fort William,—No. 150-842, 
dated Ajmere, the 28th June 1844. 

With reference to my letter to your address, dated 
the 8th instant, No. 138, and its enclosures, on the subject 



THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


147 


of the unwillingness of the Maha Uao of Kotah to 
pay the instalment due half-yearly on account of the 
Kotah Contingent Corps, and his repeated applications to 
obtain the boon of being freed from the obligation of 
this payment, I have the honour to submit the accompany¬ 
ing copy of letter from the Officiating Political Agent 
at Kotah, No. 181, dated the 22nd instant, reporting that 
bills had been received by him for the instalment of one 
lakh Kupees due on the 31st December last, and forwarding 
the copy of a khureeta, with translation from the Maha 
Kao, to his address, transcripts of both which documents 
are also enclosed herewith. 

2. As Captain Burton in the 2nd paragraph of his 
letter refers to the 16th and 17th paragraphs of Captain 
Ludlow’s despatch of the 12th April 1838, a copy of those 
two paragraphs is also enclosed with a view to conveni¬ 
ence of perusal. 


From Captain C. E. Burton, Officiating Political Agent at Kotah, 
to Major C. Thoresby, Officiating Agent, Governor General, for 
the States of Kajpootana,—No. 181, dated the 22nd June 1844. 

With, reference to your letter. Nos. 699 and 702, I 
have the honour to forvrard a transcript and translation 
of a khureeta to my address from the Maha Kao of Kotah, 
and to acquaint you that I have received and transmitted to 
the Ajmere Treasury bills for one lakh on account of the 
Pouj-khurch arrears due on the 31st December last. 

2. The question having been submitted to Govern¬ 
ment, I am not aware of the utility of adding aught in 
furtherance of His Highness’s object; but in support of 



148 


COERESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


the Chief’s description of the repugnance with which he 
received the proposal for the insertion of the 5th Article, 
I deem it right to refer to the 16th and l7th paragraphs 
of Captain Ludlow’s despatch of the 12th April 1838, and 
the remarks thereon by the Governor General communi¬ 
cated by Mr. Secretary Macnaghten in his despatch to 
Colonel Alves, under date the 1st of May 1838. 

3, I have likewise the satisfaction of notifyng the 
receipt of bills for Eupees 40,000 from Jhalawar, being the 
tribute due for the latter portion of the past year. 


Translation of a klmreeta from the Maha Rao of Kotali to the ad¬ 
dress of Captain Burton, Officiating Political Agent in Harow- 
tee,—dated the 20th June 1844. 

I HAVE received your khureeta requiring the liquida¬ 
tion of the arrears of Louj-khurch, and intimating that 
greater punctuality must be observed in these payments for 
the future, otherwise some arrangement would be made to 
obviate the inconvenience which is so frequently felt by these 
constant delays. Ton mention further that the Agent, in a 
communication made to you, refers me to the reply which 
I received from the Governor General in December last, and 
undertakes, in the event of the present requisition being 
speedily complied with, once more to submit the question 
for the final orders of Government. 

It was after repeated remonstrances and with great 
repugnance I was induced to ratify the Treaty of 1838, 
dissevering territory to the value of 12 lakhs for the 



THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


149 


purpose of creating a Principality for my minister; but the 
division which was effected alienated lands to a far higher 
estimate. I offered a most strenuous protest to the insertion 
of the 5th Article engaging for the support of an Auxiliary 
Porce, and nothing should have altered this determination, 
but, on the Political Agent’s assurance that it would never be 
enforced, and, if attempted, a more suitable opportunity for 
remonstrance would be then open, I was persuaded to give 
a tardy and unTrilling permission for its insertion. Por two 
years the fulfilment of this engagement was not demanded, 
and since I have been compelled to have recourse to 
bankers and money-lenders to supply the means of meeting 
the payments under the hope of some day of amelioration. 
The documents in your Office will support my assertions. 
On proceeding to meet the Governor General at Delhi I 
again drew the attention of Colonel Sutherland and Major 
PJchardes to these matters, and conceiving the junction of 
all parties as presenting a favourable opportunity not to be 
neglected, I submitted a full and perfect statement to the 
Governor General. His Lordship in the reply dated 7th 
October last stated the impracticability at that particular 
juncture of reducing the British troops, or foregoing any 
portion of the sources of revenue. On this I again de¬ 
tailed the distresses to which I was reduced by the imposi¬ 
tion of this tax; and to this representation I am still in 
expectation of an answer. 

This addition to the revenue is as inconsiderable as the 
proportion borne by the glittering atoms of sand in the 
structure of the earth. The Kotah State now scarcely 
yields twenty-five lakhs, out of which are to be support¬ 
ed numerous relatives and parties possessing claims, and 


150 


COHIIESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


provision is to be made for ancient charities, religious endow¬ 
ments, and other undecreaseable State expenditures: hence 
it is evident the State can never be released from its embar¬ 
rassments during the continuance of this engagement. The 
bankers from not receiving payment of previous loans re¬ 
fuse to furnish fresh funds; and it is only by holding out a 
hope of being relieved that I have succeeded in raising the 
lakh which I remit herewith. It is my most earnest so¬ 
licitation that you represent the state of my finances to 
the Agent and to the Governor General, in such manner 
as you may deem advisable, to obtain a remission of this 
cliarge and annulment of the Article under which it is 
required. To the local authorities I entrust my case, 
being well aware of their solicitude for the welfare of my 
country. 


Extract from a letter from the Officiating Political Agent in Harowtee,— 
dated the 12th April 1838. | 

Paragraph 16.—In advocating the foregoing course* ' 
I am in a measure influenced by 


* Allowing the Maha Rao to manas'e ^. 

affairs without the aid of troops uu- tllC UlldlSgUlSed rcpUgnanCC witll 

der British Officers. whicli tlic Malia E/Ro lias admit¬ 


ted the insertion of the 5th Article of the accompanying ! 
Treaty, relative to the maintenance of a Eorce under British 
Officers, and by its having appeared, on my visit to His 
Highness after the receipt of his khureeta of the 17th: 
March, that his real sentiments had been only imperfectly^ 
conveyed in that communication. On that occasion no 
third person was present. His Highness urged that regard ' 
should be paid to his superior rank, and that there existed j' 
no necessity for placing the llaj Eana on a par in point of ; 






THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


151 


income with the King of Delhi; but these and many other 
points he readily yielded to my arguments, and proceeded, 
in the submissive, but earnest, tone of one anxious to escape 
from thraldom at any cost which should not involve dis¬ 
honour, to explain that the establishment of troops under 
British Officers within the Kotah territory and a more close 
surveillance of his affairs of Government would only remove 
him from one condition of subjection and restraint to ano¬ 
ther, and that, although the position in which it was intended 
to place him would he improved, it must be considered 
an humiliating one in the eyes of the Princes of Bajwarra. 
He offered to pay the expenses of the Agency, promised to 
he guided in all material points by the advice of the British 
Government, declared that nothing was to be dreaded in 
placing him in unrestrained control, for the exercise of 
which he considered himself fully competent, and most ear¬ 
nestly pressed that the insertion of a clause for embodying 
troops under British Officers might not be insisted upon; or, 
in the event of this point not being conceded to his wishes, 
that the Borce should be stationed upon the frontier to 
preserve appearances. But he begged to disabuse us of the 
impression of his having tendered a proposal of the nature 
above described either to the Hon’ble the Lieutenant- 
Governor or to any other public authority: he challenged 
the proof of having done so, observing that any khureeta 
wherein such is contained must prove a forgery, and that, 
if the proposal had been verbally communicated, it was 
wholly without his sanction and authority. 

Paragraph 17.—Under the foregoing circumstances it 
remains to be considered whether it were advisable, in tho 
apprehension of the Maha Bao’s inefficient exercise of 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


152 

control, to establish the Porce in question, or whether the 
experiment might not be tried of testing by experience his 
temper and efficiency, which, I consider, would receive a 
wholesome stimulus by a communication from His Lordship 
to the efPect that unpopular or defective control would 
infallibly be followed by more direct interference upon our 
part and by the establishment of the troops as stipulated 
in the 5th Article. 

(True Extracts.) 

(Sd.) C. Thohesbt, MajoVy 

Offg. Agentf Govr. Genl. 


Memorandum respecting the Kotali “ Fouj-khurch.^^ 

On our first acquaintance with the Kotah State in 
1803-5 we found the Minister, liaj Hana Zalim Sing, 
usurping all the powers of the sovereign, the reigning Chief 
being virtually set aside, although not placed under restraint. 
When Colonel Morison’s Porce advanced from Hindostan 
towards Guzerat, Zalim Sing rendered good service in afford¬ 
ing supplies and assistance of every kind. On-the retreat 
of this Porce, however, he shut his gates, refused supplies, 
or to be any longer on friendly terms with us. Prom this 
period up to 1817 the British Government withdrew from 
all interference in the affairs of Bajpootana. 

2. On the 26th of December of that year a Treaty 
was formed with Kotah, under which that State bound itself 
to pay to the British Government the tribute formerly pay¬ 
able to the Peishwa, Sindia, Holkar, and the Puar. 



THE DISMEMBEEMENT OF KOTAII. 


153 


3. This Treaty was negotiated between Sir C. Metealfe 
and Zalim Sing. By a Supplementary Article of this Treaty 
it was agreed that, after Maha Bao Omed Sing, the then 

: Bajah of Kotah, the Principality should descend to his 
eldest son and heir apparent and his heirs in regular 
succession and perpetuity; “and that the entire ad¬ 
ministration of the affairs of the Principality should 
! be vested in the Maj Mana Zalim Sing, and after him in 
his son, Madho Sing, and his heirs in regular succession and 
\ perpetuity f 

4. About the time that this Treaty was negotiated 
Captain Tod was sent to Kotah to arrange with that State 
for our intended operations against the Pindarees. All 
negotiations were carried on with the Minister without the 
slightest reference to the ruling Chief, who was so little 
known and thought of, that the British Agent was prepared 
to make cessions of tribute and territory on behalf and in 
the name of the Minister which would have received the 
confirmation of the Governor General. 

S'. Zalim Sing, however, made no demands for himself, 
and his moderation was to be attributed to the fact of his 
being well aware that any such direct usurpation of the 
supreme power would have been exclaimed against by the 
general voice of the Chiefs and people of Bajpootana. 
Maha Bao Omed Sing was succeeded by his son, Kishen 
Sing, and it became soon apparent that the relations which 
had existed for 60 years between the late Chief and the 
Minister, and the continuance of which had been guaranteed 
by the British Government, could not long remain un¬ 
disturbed. 


20 



164 


COKEESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


6. In 1821 Kishen Sing, having collected troops, made 
a forcible attempt to ejeet the Minister and bring the 
authority into his own hands; but he was defeated and his 
troops dispersed. In December, however, of the same year 
he was restored to his pageant throne. 

7. A fixed allowance of Eupees 1,64,000 per annum 
out of the revenue of the State was set aside for his main¬ 
tenance, and a small Dorce was appointed for his protection. 

8. Kishen Sing at this time recognized the perpetual 
administration of Zalim Sing, his heirs and successors, over 
the State of Kotah, its revenues, army, &c., &c. 

9. In June 1824 Zalim Sing died, and was succeeded 
by his son, Madho Sing. 

10. The unfitness of this person to manage the affairs 
of the State was matter of notoriety ; but, supported by the 

power of the British Government guaranteed 
# Of 1817 ^ 

him by the Supplementary Article of the Treaty,* 
he received undisturbed possession of the Principality of 
Kotah. 


11. The British Government, conceiving that the ar¬ 
rangement as it then stood was liable to great objection, and 
that neither the Chief nor the Minister could be expected 
ever to conduct matters on a friendly footing, conceived the 
design of making a division of the Kotah territory between 
the two. The Prince, it was supposed, would be better 
satisfied with the absolute sovereignty of any portion of his 
dominions rather than continue only as the titular sovereign 





THE DISMEMBERMENT OE KOTAH. 


155 , 


without any real power; and the Minister, it was also 
supposed, might prefer being plaeed as Prince over a small 
portion of the Kotah State rather than rule the whole State 
in the subordinate capacity of Minister. 

12. In 1886 the Lieutenant-Governor, North-'Western 
Provinces, brought to the notice of the Supreme Government 
the very inefidcient administration of the Kotah Government 

j under Paj Pana Muddun Sing, the grandson of Zalim Sing, 

I and the great probability of the Maha Pao, seconded by 
I the people and the army, rising against his authority and 
! expelling the Minister, in which case, under Treaty, the 
interference of the British Government would become in- 
i dispensable. 

13. The Lieutenant-Governor considered that, under 
i the circumstances and the incapacity and unpopularity of 
i the Paj Pana, the best thing in order to rectify existing 

I evils would be to advise the Paj Pana to retire from the 
' administration and receive in sovereignty, under the same 
I guarantee as that we extend to all protected States, either 
i independently of Kotah or as a dependency of that State, 

' at his option, the districts ceded by Holkar by our desire 
to Kotah by the Treaty of Mundisore wPich were offered to 
the Paj Pana’s ancestor, Zalim Sing, by us personally, but 
which, by his desire, were annexed to the Kotah State, and 
I which might without injustice be again separated and made 
a distinct Principality. 

t 14. This proposition was approved by the Governor 
} General, who recommended that a communication should be 
j made to the Paj Pana offering him one-third, or three-eighths 


156 


C0RRESP0NDE2TCE RELATING TO 


of the Kotali State if he agreed to resign his position as 
Minister and give up the control of all affairs to the 
Maha Itao. 

15. In the mean time the Court of Directors sent out 
instructions, dated the 18th October 1837, directing that 
some arrangement should be made to place the affairs of 
the Kotah State on a more satisfactory footing and for 
dissolving the anomalous Treaties, by which we were bound 
to uphold the Maha Rao and his heirs as perpetual sove¬ 
reigns and the Raj Rana and his heirs as perpetual regents. 
They desired that the four Holkar mehals should be offered 
to Muddun Sing as a separate Principality; and if he rejected 
the offer, that the administration of the Kotah State was 
to be taken out of his hands and made over to the Maha 
Rao. 

16. It would, however, be necessary to obtain the 
Maha Rao’s consent to this arrangement and to enter into 
separate Treaties with both parties. 

17. After considerable time spent in negotiation Trea¬ 
ties were concluded with the Maha Rao and the Raj Rana 
in April 1838 by Colonel Alves, Governor General’s Agent, 
and the Local Agent, Captain Ludlow. By these Treaties 
it was agreed that 17 pergunnahs, yielding an annual 
revenue of Rupees 12 lakhs, should be allotted to the Raj 
Rana to form a separate Principality under the designation 
of Jhalawar. 

18. Although these pergunnahs apparently comprised 
one-third of the Kotah State, yet Kotah could in reality be 




THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAII. 


157 


said to have contributed territory only to the amount of 
Rupees six lakhs, for the remaining territory yielding the 
other six lakhs formed the personal estates and jagheers 
of Zalim Sing. 


19. The Raj Rana of Jhalawar was bound under the 
Treaty to pay to the British Government Rupees 80,000 
per annum of the Kotah tribute. 

20. The State debts which had accumulated under the 
administration of Muddun Sing were to be liquidated by 
him, with the exception of Rupees 10 lakhs, to he liquidated 
by the Maha Rao. 


21. The 5th, 6th, and 7th Articles of the Treaty quoted 


Article 5.—“ The Maha Rao agrees, for himself, his 
heirs, and successors, to maintain an Auxiliary Force, 
to be commanded and paid by British Officers, 
should the British Government decide that the mea¬ 
sure is expedient j it being clearly understood 
that the existence of such Force shall in no way 
interfere with the Maha Rao, his heirs and succes¬ 
sors’ exercise of power in the internal administra¬ 
tion of the affairs of the Kotah State. 

Article 6.—“ The expense of such Force shall never 
exceed Rupees three lakhs per annum. 


in the margin con¬ 
cluded with Kotah pro¬ 
vided for the mainte¬ 
nance of an Auxiliary 
Force commanded and 
paid by British Officers. 


Article 7.—“ If the Force shall be raised, the 
funds for its maintenance shall be paid to the 
British Government by the administration of the 
Maha Rao, his heirs and successors, in two half- 
yearly instalments, along with the tribute j and the 
period for the first payment will be fixed by the 
British Government.” 


22. The expense of 
this contingent was 
never to exceed three 
lakhs a year, and the 


funds for its maintenance were to be furnished by the 
Kotah State. 


23. With reference to the proposal for the establish¬ 
ment of this Force, the Agent, Captain Ludlow, in reporting 
the conclusion of the Treaty, informed Government that 
it had met with decided opposition from the Maha Rao. 


158 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


24. His Highness considered that the establishment of 
troops nnder British Officers within the Kotah territories 
and the consequent close surveillance of his affairs of Go¬ 
vernment would be only, in fact, removing him from one 
condition of subjection to another; and that, although the 
position in which it was intended to place him would with¬ 
out doubt he improved, still it would be considered an humi¬ 
liating one in the eyes of the Princes of Bajwarra. 

25. The Maha Bao offered to disburse the expenses 

of the British Agency at his 

Cons., IStli July 1838, No. 69. ^ . . , , . , , 

Court, and promised to be guided 
in all material points by the aid of the British Government; 
hut he most earnestly pressed that the insertion of a clause 
for embodying troops under British Officers might not be 
insisted upon, or, in the event of this point not being con¬ 
ceded to his wishes, that the Eorce should he stationed upon 
the frontier to save appearances. 

26. “ His Highness utterly denied having ever ten¬ 
dered a proposal for receiving such a Eorce either to the 
Lieutenant-Governor or any other authority, and challenged 
proof of his having done so, declaring that, if his consent 
were contained in any klmreeta, such kliureeta must be a 
forgery.” 

27. Under these circumstances, the Agent stated that 
it might be matter of consideration whether the establishing 
the Eorce as contemplated might not with propriety he 
deferred until it was seen whether the Maha Bao was 
actually capable or not of managing his own territories, 


THE DISMEMBERMENT OE KOTAH. 


159 


supposing the Force to be established for tlie mere purpose 
of acting as a check on his Government, 


28. Should, on experience, the Maha Kao’s supposed 
inability be established, then the Agent considered the 
troops might be established under the stipulation of the 
5th Article of the Treaty. 

29. The Agent was informed, in reply, “ that the design 
of establishing a British Force was entertained not alone 
with the view of its acting as a check to misgovernment, 
or that the troops should be employed only in the suppres¬ 
sion of depredators and in the maintenance of internal tran¬ 
quillity, but that the object was one of general policy; and 
it was intended, as favourable opportunities occurred, to in¬ 
troduce similar arrangements elsewhere, and especially where, 
as among the States of Kajwarra generally, there was a 
specific provision promising subordinate co-operation in the 
existing Treaties. 


“ The British Government was charged with the respon¬ 
sibility of maintaining general peace and of defending the 
territories of all its dependent allies against aggression. 


‘^It was but reasonable, therefore, where the troops of 
such allies as were incompetent from their want of disci¬ 
pline to contribute to the general defence of the empire, 
that means should be adopted for introducing an efiScient 

reform, at least among such a 

No. 74, Cons., 18th July 1838. in, 

portion ot them as shall be 
sufficient to afford useful assistance to the protecting power. 


160 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


“ Although, therefore, it was not the intention of 
the Governor General prematurely to press the proposed 
arrangements, so as to occasion serious inconvenience to 
the Maha^ E-ao, still His Lordship desired His Highness 
might be apprized of the principle of the measure, and 
that he might not be encouraged in the notion that 
its being carried into effect or otherwise would depend on 
the mode in which the Kotah Territory might be admi¬ 
nistered.” 


30. The Agent was desired to state his opinion as 
to the most eligible mode of appropriating the three lakhs 
of the revenue of Kotah secured by the 5th Article of 
the Treaty for the formation of the Contingent; in other 
words, whether the Eorce should consist chiefly of Infantry, 
Cavalry, or Artillery, and in what proportions, and what 
number of British Officers should be attached to the Eorce. 
He was desired at the same time to furnish any observations 
that might occur to him with regard to the best means of 
raising the Eorce, what stations it should occupy, and the 
arrangements which should be made for its punctual pay¬ 
ment. 


31. The Agent, in reply, furnished a plan for the 
organization and equipment of 
the proposed Kotah Auxiliary 
Eorce. He was informed, in reply, that the information 

furnished was considered valu¬ 
able, but that it was not the 
intention of His Lordship at that time to give effect 
to the provision of the new Treaty regarding the Auxi¬ 
liary Eorce. 


No. 51, Cons., 29th August 1838. 


No. 28, Cons., 14th November 1838. 



THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


161 


32. Nothing further was done in the matter until, in 

September 1839, the Governor 

No. 16, Cons., IStli December 1839. 

General in Council called upon 
the Agent in E;ajpootana to furnish a Report of the capabi¬ 
lities of the Kotah State to meet the charge fixed for the 
maintenance of the Contingent under provisions of the 
Treaty of 1838. 

33. The Governor General was anxious to be fully 
informed as to the existing ability of the Principality to 
bear the charge in question without too heavy a drain on its 
resources, and desired to be furnished with a Sketch, in so 
far as the calculation could be made, of the probable power 
of the State to continue the annual payment of three lakhs 
with constant regularity, making allowance for the Maha 
Kao’s then inefficient Porce being reduced, which, it was anti¬ 
cipated, would be the consequence of raising the Contingent, 


31. The Governor General’s Agent, Colonel Suther¬ 
land, in reply, reported that the revenues of the Kotah State 
amounted to 20 lakhs; that after paying the troops which 

Kotah then maintained, estimat- 

No. 18, Cons., 18th December 1839. , , i i i j • i j 

ed to cost seven lakhs, the tribute 
to the British Government of Rupees 1,81,720, and her 
share of the State debt of 10 lakhs, which, at the rate of 
annual payments of Rupees 1,29,700, would be liquidated 
in five years, there would remain Rupees 11 lakhs per 
annum to be applied to the maintenance of the Contingent 
and for the other expenses of the State. 


35. Of the importance and advantage of fixing an 
Auxiliary Porce at Kotah both on account of securing the 
tranquillity of the country and our own supremacy, the 

n 


162 


COERESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


Agent observed, there could be but one opinion amongst 
those who had been close observers of events. Of the Maha 
Eao’s repugnance to the measure, however, no doubt could 
be entertained; it was as unpalatable to His Highness as 
ever, not only on the ground of cost, but as he considered 
the placing of the force within his territories would place 
him in a condition of thraldom and in a position humiliat¬ 
ing in the eyes of the Princes of Hajwarra. The Agent, 
in forwarding his own opinion, furnished also that of Captain , 
Ludlow, who, from his long residence at Kotah, was best able 
to form a correct judgment of the resources of the State, 
That Officer estimated the then revenue of Kotah at 21 
lakhs, but he considered that, under judicious management, 
it would yield a considerable increase on the above amount. 
He considered that, at the then estimated revenue of 21 
lakhs, the Kotah State was as well able to bear the expenses i 
of the Contingent as it would be for five years to come, and i 
that, when the Porce might be established, it would, if during } 
the life-time of the then Maha Kao, prove a saving in the i 
military expenditure of the State of two lakhs per annum.. 

36. The Governor General informed the Agent, ini 
reply, “ that, having maturely ,■ 

No. 20, Coes., IStli December 1839. \ n , j i • 

considered the tacts stated in | 
his despatch. His Lordship was strongly of opinion that iti 
would be proper to take some early step with a view to the | 
formation of the disciplined Porce. The important consider- i 
ations of general and local policy, which led to the intro¬ 
duction into the Treaty of the stipulation for the organization 
of that Porce, had been stated in the despatches at that time 
addressed to the Agent, and need not be repeated; but His 
* Colonel SEtheriand and Captain Lordsliip was pleased iu observ-j 
ing that, in the opinion of those^ , 




THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


163 


who are best qualified to express a judgment on the question, 
the substitution of such a Porce for the greater portion of the 
present army of the Maha Rao would probably be one of con¬ 
siderable economy to His Highness ; at the same time it might 
be most agreeable to His Highness that effect should be given 
to the change only gradually, and the entire execution of it 
might, perhaps, be most conveniently deferred till the expira¬ 
tion of the term of five years, within which time it might be 
expected that all the debts of the State would be liquidated. 

“The Agent was requested, therefore, in the first in¬ 
stance, to submit a scheme in detail for raising a part of the 
Eorce such as could be maintained at an annual cost of 
Rupees one or of one and a half lakhs, the scheme being so 
arranged as to admit of the eventual extension of the Eorce 
to the full stipulated yearly amount of three lakhs; and the 
Maha Rao was at once to be made to understand that the 
fulfilment of this condition of the Treaty could not be 
longer postponed.” 

37. In conformity with the instructions of the Go¬ 

vernor General, the Agent sub- 
’ ’ mitted a detailed scheme for 

raising a Eorce calculated to cost one and a half lakhs per 
annum j and he recommended that measures should be 
taken for embodying this Eorce at Ajmere until its future 
position should be determined upon. 

38. The Agent further proposed that the Contingent 
in the second year might be raised to the scale of two lakhs, 
to that of two and a half lakhs in the third year, and to the 
whole amount of three lakhs in the fourth year, by which 


164 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


period it was calculated that the State of Kotah would, at the 
rate of annual payments of Rupees 1,29,700, have paid off its 
share of the State debt, amounting to 10 lakhs, which, on 
the division of the territory, was assigned to its liquidation. 


39. The Agent was, in reply, informed ‘‘ that, in the 
opinion of the Governor General, the resources of the Kotah 
State, after liquidation of its debt, were fully adequate to 
maintain the Rorce contemplated by the Treaty. His Lord- 
ship was not, however, anxious to enforce the obligation of 
the 6th Article in so immediate and imperative a manner 
as might subject the Maha Rao’s finances at once to the 
full burden of the contribution, and His Lordship, therefore, 
approved of the plan proposed by the Agent that the 
State should for the first year pay Rupees 1,50,000, Rupees. 

2,00,000 in the second. Rupees 
2,50,000 in the third, and the 
full sum, three lakhs, in the fourth year.” 


No. 29, Cons., 19th February 1840. 


40. On the proposition for the immediate embodying 
of the Auxiliary Eorce on the 

No. 33, Cons., 11th May 1840. . . , , , i • 

principle above noted having 
been made to the Maha Rao, His Highness remonstrated 
strongly against its adoption, and addressed a letter to the 
Governor General expressing his utter inability to meet the 
demand. His Highness stated that, from the first, he had 
strongly objected to the insertion of the Article regarding 
the Auxiliary Eorce, and only acquiesced in it from the assur¬ 
ance on the part of the then Agent, Colonel Alves, “ that it 
was intended purely for the welfare of his Government, and 
would be without difficulty cancelled in a better posture 
of affairs. That better state of things His Highness declared 


THE DISMEMBERMENT OP KOTAH. 


1G5 


he had laboured hard to bring about, and he considered 
not unsuccessfully, and he therefore threw himself on the 
merciful consideration of His Lordship.” In consequence 
of the importunity of the Agent, the Maha Eao went on to 
inform His Lordship : “ He had assented to the payment 
of one and a half lakhs, but he trusted His Lordship would 
relieve him from all further payments and confine the 
demand to the annual sum above specified; but even to 
demand this sum would not, in His Highness’s opinion, be 
just unless Jhalawar was made to pay one-third.” 


No. 36, Cons., 11th May 1844. 


41. On receipt of the above communication, the Go¬ 
vernor General in Council ex¬ 
pressed “ his regret that this sub¬ 
ject did not appear to have been brought before the Maha 
Rao in its true light, so as to show to him the great 
advantages which he would derive from the execution of the 
6th Article of the Treaty of April 10th, 1838. In the ful¬ 
filment of his obligations to the British Government he 
would no longer be subject to indefinite requisitions for 
assistance, while he would be but called upon to perform, 
in a defined and moderate form, the duty which must 
inalienably attach to his position as the ruler of a protected 
Indian State, and to which he was also bound by specific 
Treaty of contributing to the general defence of the empire. 
The efitect of the fulfilment of the new stipulations would 
also very probably be that of giving peace and security to 
his frontiers, and, by enabling him to reduce a large portion 
of his military establishment, of contributing to the relief 
of his finances. 


“ The Governor General in Council stated his willing¬ 
ness to meet the wishes of the Maha Rao as to the place at 


166 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


which the Contingent should be stationed, and would he 
satisfied for the present with the contribution of one and 
a half lakhs. 

“ It was of much' importance, His Lordship considered, 
not only that this matter should be speedily determined, but 
that it also should be determined in such a manner as 
to leave no misunderstanding upon it with the Maha Kao.” 

42. The Agent, Colonel Sutherland, informed the 

Government, in reply to the com- 

No. 42, Cons., 29th June 1840. . . j i , i - 

munication above quoted, that 
the advantages which would arise to the Maha Kao in the 
increased security of his position and the tranquillity of his 
State by the establishment of the Contingent had been 
clearly set forth to His Highness, but that he continued 
to evince a decided repugnance to the measure. 

43. "With respect to this disinclination of the Maha 
Kao, Colonel Sutherland observed “that, when we look 
at the grounds on which all concessions are made by any 
one Power to another through Treaty, and see that it is 
only on account of some advantage to themselves that 
those concessions are made, we need not be surprised 
that, those advantages gained, Kotah or any other State 
of India should seek to evade the fulfilment of engagements 
disadvantageous to itself. The Maha Kao has recovered, 
through the Treaty of April 1838, two-thirds of the posses¬ 
sions of his ancestors. He knows that, like all other States, j 
he is perfectly secure under the protection of our great 
power from all external danger, whether he pays for it or no ; 
and he knows that he has abundantly the means of main¬ 
taining a Military Porce, in which consists his principal 





THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAII. 


167 


pride, which renders his country and himself perfectly safe 
against all internal commotions; whilst the indeiinite re¬ 
quisitions for assistance to which most of the States have 
engaged through Treaty have in reality, for upwards of 
20 years, heen a dead letter, the States never almost having 
been required to co-operate with us at all. 

“ These great objects having been fully attained through 
the Treaty of 1838, the advantages of which the Maha Eao 
is now without cost enjoying to their full extent, it is no 
wonder that he attempts to escape from the fulfilment of obli¬ 
gations which cannot fail to be extremely unpalatable to him, 

“Viewing the matter in this light, it has always 
appeared to me that, as the Maha Eao had received all the 
benefits which he can expect, it only remained for us to 
give effect to that part of the Treaty which confers benefits 
on ourselves in the manner least injurious to the interests 
of our dependent ally, and likely to be least distasteful to 
him. We had the right to embody a Eorce to cost three 
lakhs per annum at the expense of the Kotah State at any 
period after the negotiation of the Treaty; and there was 
surely nothing harsh in the measure of raising at the end of 
two years a Eorce which was to cost half that amount, and 
of increasing the Eorce by Eupees 60,000 a year, until, at 
the end of the fourth year, it should reach the maximum of 
cost. It would, perhaps, have been better had this measure 
been carried through at once; and the longer it is put off, 
the more distasteful and difficult of execution will it become. 


“Captain Eichards*' thinks that, if the question be 
pressed at present with the in¬ 
tention of eventually carrying 


* Political Agent, Kotah. 


168 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


the demand beyond two lakhs of E/upees per annum, the 
Maha Eao may resist it, and that he may cease to entertain 
that respect and regard for our Government which he now 
feels. It has been proved, however, to His Lordship’s satis¬ 
faction, that the Kotah Principality can, without embarrass¬ 
ment to itself, pay three lakhs 

The revenues were, on more minute j i j • i 

examination, found to consist of 25 per auuum, that IS, the amouut 
lakhs a year. Tve^tj ; and there seems 

no reason why we should relinquish any portion of it. 
Whether Kotah will continue to pay through a period of 
years this amount in money with the same regularity which 
she has paid her tribute is another question; but when 
she fails to do so, we have, of course, our remedy in the 
power of assuming, either temporarily or permanently, a por¬ 
tion of her territory whose revenue shall equal this sum.” 


44. In conclusion, the Governor General’s Agent stated 
that he considered that one great objection to the payment 
of the Contingent on the part of the Maha Kao was the fact 
of the Maha Raj Rana, although he had received a third of 
the Kotah territory, being yet exempted from all payments 
on account of the Contingent. 


46. On receipt of the above communication, the Go¬ 
vernor General in Council 
informed the Asrent that he 


No. 44, Cons., 29fch June 1840. 


adhered to his former opinion of the propriety of organizing 
at once a Porce under British Officers, such as could be 
maintained for one and a half lakhs per annum. Wishing 
to introduce the arrangement with all practicable considera¬ 
tion to the feelings of the Maha Rao, His Lordship desired 
that it should be announced to His Highness that while for 


THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


169 


the first year one lakh and a half would be deemed sufficient, 


and for the second only two lakhs 
would be required, the demand 


29fcli June 1840. 


for the three lakhs would be postponed until the expiration 
of three years more, when, by the liquidation of his debts. 
His Highness would be released from the annual charge on 
that account of Bupees 1,29,700.” 

46. Upon the 13th June 1840 the Governor General’s 
Agent, Colonel Sutherland, submitted a scheme for the 
organization of the Kotah Contingent according to the 
funds then at his disposal. 




half lakhs per annum was, the 


to the scheme. 


Agent proposed, to be expended 


in the purchase of arms, appointments, camp equipage, &c. 

47. The Cavalry and Infantry of the Porce were to 
be increased proportionably, and Artillery added as funds 
increased. 

48. The scheme proposed by the Agent with few 
variations was approved and sanctioned by the Governor 
General, and the Agent was requested to take immediate 
measures for revising the Porce and bringing it to efficiency. 

49. A Statement of the proposed scheme is appended 
as it was approved by the Supreme Government. 


23 



1 

1 

1 

1 

8 

8 

40 

40 

(40 

10 

8 

8 

1 

1 

8 

1 

1 

1 

1 

4 

,1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 


COERESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


BcJieme for Kotah Contingent. 


RANK. 

Monthly pay 

of each 

individual. 

Total. 

Infaniet. 

Us. A. P. 

Ps. A. P. 

Commandant... 

. 

1,000 0 0 

Adjutant 

. 

600 0 0 

Serjeant Major 

. 

60 0 0 

Quarter-master Serjeant 


60 0 0 

Soubadars 

50 0 0 

400 0 0 

Jemadars 

24 0 0 

192 0 0 

Havildars 

12 0 0 

480 0 0 

Naiks 

10 0 0 

400 0 0 

Sepoys 

6 0 0 

3,840 0 0 

Buglers 

6 0 0 

98 0 0 

Bheesties 

5 0 0 

40 0 0 

KluiUassios ... 

5 0 0 

40 0 0 

Havildar Major 

. 

5 0 0 

Drill Naik ... . 

. 

2 8 0 

Pay Havildars 

5 0 0 

40 0 0 

Bugle Major ... 

.. 

5 0 0 

Hospital Establishment. 



1st Medical Attendant ... 


100 0 0 

Native Hoetor... 

... ... 

25 0 0 

Sirdar Bearer... ... ... 

. 

6 0 0 

Dooly Bearers... 

4 0 0 

16 0 0 

Mussulman cook 


6 0 0 

Bralimin cook 

. 

6 0 0 

Bheesty 


6 0 0 

Sweeper ... 

. 

4 0 0 

Quaetee-mastee’s Establishment. 



Tindal 

. 

9 8 0 

Bildars 

.. 

7 0 0 

Estea Chaeges. 



Eorge Establishment 

. 

80 0 0 

Butts and Targets 


4 0 0 

■Wax-cloth and Practice Ammunition 


18 0 0 

Total, Co.’s Rs. ... 

. 

. 



























THE HISMEMBERMENT OF KOTA II. 


171 


Scheme for Kotah Cont'mgent. 


Nos. 

RANK. 

Monthly pay 

of each 

individual. 

Total. 

Geand Total. 

2 

Cavalet. 

Ressaldars 

Bs. A. P. 

100 0 0 

Ms. A. P. 

200 0 0 

Bs. A. P. 

2 

Naib Ressaldars 

60 0 0 

100 0 0 


8 

Duffadars ... 

28 0 0 

224 0 0 


8 

Naib Duffadars 

24 0 0 

192 0 0 


160 

Horsemen 

20 0 0 

3,200 0 0 


2 

Allowance to— 

Pay Duffadars... ... ... 

5 0 0 

10 0 0 

3,916 0 0 

10 0 0 


Total expenses of the Infantry 

.. 

.. ... ... 

3,926 0 0 

7,424 0 0 


Total monthly expenses of the Contingent, 

Co.’s Rs. 


11,350 0 0 


N. B .—The rank of Souhadar Major, with aa extra allowance of Rupees 20 per mensem, may 
be hereafter conferred on the Souhadar most deserving of it, and to be held out as a reward for 
distinguished merit. 


50. On the proceedings detailed above having been re¬ 
ported to the Home Authorities, the Hon’ble Court in their 
despatch, dated 23rd December 1840, No. 34, observed that 
“ the suspension at first of all demands upon the Kotah 
State on account of the Auxiliary Force, for the support of 
which the Maha Kao is now hound by Treaty to assign 
three lakhs per annum, was proper; but we observe that 
you have it in view to commence raising a part of the Force, 
although the full stipulated amount is not (aceording to 
your present intentions) to be claimed until the expiration 
of the five years, when the State will, it is expected, be free 
from debt. The formation of this Force, which will be an 
important accession to our general means of preserving the 



















172 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


peace of India, will, it is represented, render practicable 
tbe disbandment of the greater part of the present Military 
Force of the Maha Uao. We hope that this will be the actual 
result, and that the measure will, consequently, prove one 
of economy to the Kotah State.” 

51. The Contingent was raised according to the 
scheme laid down by Government, and in 1842 it was com¬ 
pleted to a Force costing two lakhs of Fupees. 


62. In February 1843 the Political Agent, Captain 
Richards, forwarded, through the Governor General’s Agent, 
Colonel Sutherland, a letter from tbe Maha Rao of Kotah 
complaining of his distressed condition, and praying that he 
might be relieved from compliance with the 5th Article 

of the Treaty, as his resources 
were totally unable to meet the 
demand made under that Article of three lakhs for the 
maintenance of the Contingent. 


No. 37, Cons., 19tli April 1843. 


63. The general grounds on which the Maha Rao 
rested his hopes for favourable consideration were, that 
he had removed all embarrassments arising out of the 
Supplemental Article of the Treaty of 1817, which pro¬ 
vided for the perpetual regency of the family of Zalim 
Sing by consenting to give one-third of his territory to the 
Raj Rana, and taking upon himself the discharge of 
10 lakhs of the State debts, which had accumulated under 
the administration of the Raj Rana and his prede¬ 
cessors, and when the Maha Rao himself was precluded 
by the Treaty from authoritative interference in the atfairs 
of Government, and that he had from the first strenuously 


THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAII. 


173 


objected to the insertion of the 5th Article, and was only 
induced to consent to it by the. threat held out to him that, 
if he failed to comply, the Haj Hana would be permitted to 
remain as Eegent unmolested. 

54. The Maha Rao considered that there were suffi¬ 
cient sacrifices on his part without being further required to 
pay to the British Government three lakhs for a Contingent 
Force in addition to his tribute of Rupees 1,84,000, making 
a total direct payment to the British Government of Rupees 
4,84,000. 


55. The Maha Rao further urged that, although one- 
third of Kotah had been dismembered, still that the Jagheer- 
dars retained their original claims on the State, which 
had to be liquidated, as also the religious and charitable 
endowments, the whole amount of which came to six lakhs 
of Rupees. 

56. In forwarding this letter, the Agent, Captain 
Richards, observed that he could not refrain from stating his 
opinion of the justness of the Maha Rao’s appeal, and that 
His Highness had established strong claims to the favourable 
consideration of Government, not only by his faithful 
and prompt fulfilment of all engagements since the Treaty 
of 1838, but also by the very satisfactory manner in which 
he had since then conducted his Government, preserving 
peace and good order in the country. 

57. Captain Richards observed that it was a principle 
of general policy which had dictated the proposal for.the 
maintenance of the Contingent, and he considered it very 


174 


GORllESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


hard that the Maha Hao should, under all circumstances, 
be required to support a measure of policy at so enormous 
an expense to himself, from which he derives no advantage, 
and from which, from the experience of the past five years, 
it was not likely he should benefit in future. 

68. In forwarding Captain Hichards’s despatch with 
His Highness’s letter for the orders of the Governor General, 
Colonel Sutherland observed ‘‘ that the real grievance the 
Maha Rao had to complain of was the putting upon him, at 
the time of the partition of the territory, a charge of Rupees 
three lakhs for the maintenance of troops, avowedly more for 
the purposes of maintaining tranquillity generally in Raj- 
pootana or in India than for any purposes of good Govern¬ 
ment in the Kotah or Jhalawar territories. Peace had been 
so perfectly preserved, that the troops organized under the 
stipulation of the Treaty had not been required by either 
Chief, and their presence was so unacceptable to the Chiefs, 
that we had not been as yet able to obtain a piece of ground 
from either on which to form a cantonment for the Contin¬ 
gent.” 

,69. As has been stated, in 1842 the Contingent had 
been raised to the cost of two lakhs per ' annum. The 
Maha Rao in 1843 failed to make the payment at the 
stipulated time, and as the Contingent was, in consequence, 
without funds, the Local Agent was called upon by the 
Governor General’s Agent to urge upon His Highness the 
absolute necessity of his at once paying up the sum due. 

60. In reply. Major Richards reported, in June 1843,, 
to the Governor .General’s Agent, that he had on that date 




THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAII. 


175 


received from the Malia Rao one lakh of Uupees on account 
of th6 Kotah Contingent for the last six months of 1842. 
In making this payment the Maha Rao had represented in 
the most urgent manner the difidculty he had experienced in 
procuring the necessary sum from the circumstance of 
former advances by bankers on account of tribute and 
contingent payments being still unliquidated. The Maha 
Kao further stated that the heavy demands of the British 
Government and the payment of the State debt were involv¬ 
ing him deeply in debt, and that it would be impossible 
for him to defray the expenses necessary for the efficient 
government of the country and for his own maintenance, 
unless the British Government would abate its demands. 

^ On the above remonstrance bein" 

No. 76,^ Cons., 22nd July 1843. ® 

forwarded to Government, the 
Maha Kao was informed, in reply, that payment of his 
arrear due for the Contingent must be made without delay 
on receipt of the communication above quoted. The Maha 
Kao again complained to Captain Kichards of the hard¬ 
ship of his case, and expressed his regret that the Governor 
General had not replied to the khureeta already quoted, 
or taken any notice of the representations made to His 
Lordship perspnally at Delhi. 


61. Captain Ptichards reported the substance of the 
Maha Kao’s observations to the Governor General’s Agent, 
remarking that there could be but one opinion as to the 
amount of tribute and contingent payment levied from 
Kotah being excessive ; and he recommended what he con¬ 
sidered the Government would find it necessary to adopt 
with reference to the Kotah finances, viz., to limit the amount 
of the payments of the Contingent to Kupees 1,60,000, which, 


170 CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 

added to the tribute of Kupees 1,84,360, would make a total 
of E-upees 3,34,360, the difference, if the Contingent was to 
kept up at an annual cost of Eupees three lakhs, to be paid 
by us from the tribute. 

62. Colonel Sutherland, in submitting the above pro¬ 
position of Captain Eichards, observed that suffieient reason 
had not been shown, in his opinion, for lowering our demand 
on the Kotah State from three lakhs to 1,50,000, and paying 
the difference ourselves required for the maintenance of the 
Auxiliary Eorce. Colonel Sutherland further observed that, 
in his opinion, ‘‘ nothing short of taking the management 
of the State into our hands for a series of years as at Jey- 
pore, and thus judging of the resources in all departments 
of the means of reducing expenditure, would be sufficient” 
to justify us in lowering the demand. 

63. It having come to the notice of the Supreme 
Government in May last, that the instalment for the Con¬ 
tingent of one lakh for the last six months of 1843 was 
still due, and that the Maha Eao stated his inability to 
pay as his excuse, the Agent was desired to call upon His 
Highness for an explanation. 

64. The Local Agent, having been called upon to report, 
stated that the tribute due by Kotah was in arrear to the 
amount of Eupees 92,360, which, however, he expected would 
speedily be liquidated; but that he had no expectation what¬ 
ever of the Maha Eao’s paying the lakh due on account 
of the Contingent. His Highness’s constant excuse is his 
inability to pay, and also the injustice of demanding from 
Kotah alone of all the States of Harowtee, and that the 



THE DISMEMBERMENT OF KOTAH. 


177 


most peaceable and well-behaved, the payment of the Auxi¬ 
liary Eorce kept up for the protection of the whole. 

65. Major Thoresby, Governor General’s Agent, with 
reference to the above opinion of the Local Agent’s, stated 
that he could not believe that tlie Maha Rao would per¬ 
severe in withholding payment when he should become 
convinced that by such a course of proceeding he was not 
likely to be freed from the obligation; but that by demurring 
now, he perhaps thought he might be exempted from the 
payment of the additional lakh, which will be demandable 
from His Highness in July 1845, on account of the Con¬ 
tingent, to complete the payments to the full sum of three 
lakhs payable under the Treaty of 1838. 

66. Thus, then, the matter stands at present; the Maha 

T , is ill arrear now two lakhs 

for the expenses of the Contin¬ 
gent, for another half year has elapsed, making the amount 
for a complete year due. His Highness still pleads his 
inability and the hardship of his case. It is for Govern¬ 
ment to decide whether some modification might not be 
made in the 5th Article of the Treaty, which His Highness 
with truth states was forced upon him. 


67. The Maha Rao’s case appears certainly to be one 
Originaitribnte ... Es. 2,64,300 of hardship, for the Statement 


Present do. 
Payment to Contin¬ 
gent . 


in the margin will show that, 
2 , 00,000 0111’ present demands, the 

Total, Ks. 3 , 84,360 Kotali State pays to us direct 
a sum exceeding by Rupees 
23 


178 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


lj20,000 the amount she paid to us before we deprived her 

of one-third of her territory: 
ori3fa[Tnd.^prSeS|E^ 1 , 20,000 and it must be borne in mind 
payments. ) dismemberment can be 

attributed to no fault of the Maha Rao; it was the direct 
consequence of the error made in entering into so anoma¬ 
lous an agreement as that the heirs of the then Minister 
should be guaranteed to act in the capacity of managers 
of the State for ever, without reference to their capacity, or 
that of the Princes of the State. 


Minute by the Governor General. 

Accoudinu to my reading of the facts of the case, 
a Treaty was made in 1817 by which the Kotah State, then 
entire, was to pay tribute Rupees 2,61,300; and no further 
charge of any kind is adverted to, or was ever attempted 
to be raised until 1838. 

In that year, when it was found expedient to remedy 
the defect of the Treaty of 1817, which stipulated that 
a perpetual Prince of Kotah should have a perpetual 
Minister or Regent, one-third of the Kotah Territory was 
severed from the State, and converted into a distinct Princi¬ 
pality and given to the Rana Rajah. 

At the same time, one-third of the tribute, to be paid by 
the Majee Rao, or Rajah of Kotah, was very equitably taken 
off; but this one-third was not put on the Rana Rajah’s 
territory. 

The tribute was reduced by Rupees 80,000, which was 
made payable by the State of Jhalawar. 





THE DISMEMBEUMENT OE KOTAH. 


179 


By the 5th Article of this Treaty it was insisted, for the 
first time since 1817, that the Maha Bao should pay for a 
Contingent from a sum not to exceed three lakhs. 

The Company, therefore, transferred Rupees 80,000 
tribute, and demanded from the reduced Rajah of Kotah 
Rupees three lakhs to pay a Contingent. 

This proposal was strenuously resisted by the Maha 
Rao: it is proved by Captain Ludlow, who concluded the 
Treaty, that he protested against it as most unjust. Major 
Alves and Captain Richards, the Residents in Kotah, liave 
all given the strongest opinion against the justice of this 
imposition of Rupees three lakhs. 

It may he said, why did the Maha Rao sign the Treaty ? 
He was anxious to escape from the thraldom which the 
Treaty of 1817 had fixed upon him of being governed by a 
perpetual Minister, who was found so incapable that the 
Government of India originated the proposal for the new 
Treaty. 

The mistake in 1817 was a British mistake, and in 
1838 the British authorities proposed to correct their own 
blunder. 

It can scarcely he argued that it was just to take 
advantage of the Rajah of Kotah’s anxiety to escape from 
the effects of British blunder by squeezing out of him 
Rupees three lakhs, we being equally anxious to get rid of 
the had effects of the mistake of 1817 on our own account. 


180 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


Unless there are other papers which L have not seen, 
I can discover no reason why the Maharajah should in 
1838 have been required for the first time to pay Bupees 
three lakhs for a Borce in addition to his tribute. 

I request to be informed of the reasons of this addi¬ 
tional charge on his diminished territories. I request my 
colleagues to investigate this part of the case, which to me 
is unintelligible. 

The result of the Treaty of 1838 is as follows :— 

When Kotah in 1817 was en¬ 
tire, it was required to pay- 

tribute ... ... ... Rs. 2,64,300, and no other charges. 

When one-third was severed 
in 1838 and Rupees 80,000 
was taken off ... ... „ 1,84,864 

In 1838 the Contingent charge 

was imposed of ... ... ,, 3,00,000 

Total for Kotah to pay, 1838 Rs. 4,84,864 

Thus the reduced territory was by Treaty required 
to pay in 1838 Bupees 2,20,564 more than when the Kotah 
State was entire; and whilst this heavy addition is charged 
upon Kotah reduced one-third, the district converted into 
a Principality, belonging to the Bana Bajah, is to pay 
nothing for the Contingent. 

I am convinced Lord Auckland’s reasons must exist 
somewhere, or that I have misunderstood the case. 


(Sd.) H. Hardinge. 






THE DISMKMBEKMENT OE KOTAH. 


181 


Resolution, Foreign Department,—No. 2564, dated Fort William, the 
14th September 1844. 

Read agairi the letters from the Governor General’s 

Agent, Rajpootana, 
dated the 8th and 28th 
June last, Nos. 138 and 
150, and the correspon¬ 
dence relative to the 
Kotah Contingent, no¬ 
ted in the margin. 

Read the memoran¬ 
dum drawn up, with a 
sketch of the territories, by the Under-Secretary, Foreign 
Department, relative to the Treaties with the State of Kotah, 
the arrangement regarding Jhalawar, and the proceedings 
and orders respecting the establishment of the Kotah 
Contingent and the Fouj-khurch Fund. 

Read the Minutes of the Right Hon’ble the Governor 
General and the Hon’ble Sir T. H. Maddock recorded 
on the above papers. 

The Governor General in Council observes that a full 
consideration of the history of the Kotah State from our 
first connection with it, of the circumstances under which 
the Jhalawar Territory was separated from it, and the 
Treaty negociated with the Maha Rao by which Rupees 
three lakhs per annum for a Contingent Force were to be 
paid by Kotah, in addition to two-thirds of the original 
tribute, of the feelings with which the Imposition of this 
demand has been always regarded by the Maha Rao, and 


PoltL, 1838, Cons., 18fch July, Nos. 68 to 82. 

Do. do. 26th Sept., No. 73. 

Do. do. 8th Aug., Nos. 60 and 61. 

Do. do. 29th „ No. 51. 

Do. do. 14th Nov., No. 28. 

PoltL, 1839, Cons., 18th Dec., Nos. 16 to 20. 
PoltL, 1840, Cons., 19th Feb., „ 25 to 29. 

Do. do. 11th May, „ 32 to 36. 

Do. do. 29th June, ,, 42 to 44. 

Do. do. 27th July, „ 139A. to 139L. 

PoltL, 1843, Cons., 19th April, „ 36 to 41. 

Do. do. 22nd July, „ 72 to 76. 

Do. do. 9th Sept., No. 48. 

Do. do. 21st Oct., Nos. 84 to 86. 

PoltL, 1844, Cons., 11th May, No. 46. 



182 


COKEESPONDENCE EELATING TO 


of the present financial condition of the Katah Principality, 
has led the Government to the conclusion that a remission 
of a part of the demand imposed in 1838 is just and 
expedient. 

The facts of the case, the Governor General in Council 
remarks, are briefiy these :— 

In 1817 the British Government concluded with the 
IVIaha Bao of Kotah a Treaty, by which the Mali a Bao 
was hound to pay to the British Government the tribute 
heretofore payable to the Peishwa, Sindia, Holkar, and the 
Powar, amounting to Bupees 2,61,300 per annum. 

This Treaty was negociated with Sir 0. Metcalfe by 
the Baj Bana, Zalim Sing, the nominal Minister, but de facto 
ruler of the Principality ; hut it was negociated in the name 
of the titular and de jure Chief, the imbecile Maha Bao 
Omed Sing: and by a Supplementary Article of the Treaty, 
it was agreed that, after Maha Bao Omed Sing, the Princi¬ 
pality should descend to his heirs in regular succession for 
ever, and that the entire administration of the affairs of the 
Principality should he vested in the Baj Bana, Zalim Sing, 
and after him, in his son, Madho Sing, and his heirs in 
regular succession and perpetuity. 

After the deaths of the imbecile Omed Sing and the 
energetic and able Zalim Sing, the inconvenience of the 
state of things above negociated and the obvious anomaly 
it involved became very shortly apparent; and at length 
the interposition of the British Government, to rectify its 
own error, became absolutely necessary in order to prevent 


THE DISMEMBEEMENT OF KOTAH. 


183 


war and discord throughout the Principality and the 
adjoining States. 

Whatever may have been the position of the Maha 
Hao before the Treaty of 1817, and however much it may 
have been the voluntary act of the Paj Pana that the 
titular and de jure Prince was then recognized, from the 
date of that Treaty, by the act of the three parties (the 
Pritish Government, the Maha Pao, and the Paj Pana), 
the Maha Pao and his heirs and successors became entitled 
to all the rights, immunities, and advantages secured by 
that Treaty to them as hereditary rulers of the Principality. 

It was no doubt, therefore, a matter of some delicacy 
and difficulty to maintain the faith of Treaties, and at the 
same time extricate the Government from the false position 
in which the negotiations of 1817 had placed it, and make 
arrangements that should be satisfactory at once to the 
hereditary Chief and the hereditary Minister. 

The dismemberment of the territory and the formation 
of the new State of Jhalawar was the measure adopted, 
one-third of the Kotah tribute being henceforth demandable 
from the Paj Pana, and the greater portion of the debts of 
the Kotah State bein^ made payable by him under whose 
management they had been contracted. 

But upon the remaining portion of the original terri¬ 
tory, which remained as the Kotah Principality, was im¬ 
posed, by the arrangement of 1838, for the first time, the 
demand of Pupees three lakhs per annum for the main¬ 
tenance of a Contingent, in addition to the two-thirds of the 
original tribute. 


184 


CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO 


Th© rGsistancG offerod by tha IVlab'a Hao to this Articl© 
of the Treaty, and his continued subsequent protests 
against it as unjust and unnecessary, are proved from 
the Reports of Captain Ludlow and Captain Richards, 
and the letters of the Maha Rao to Government; and 
in consequence of the strong aversion of the Maha Rao 
to the Rorce being located in his territories, the canton¬ 
ment of the Contingent has been fixed in the Ajmere 
District. 

In consideration of the above circumstances, the Go¬ 
vernor General in Council is of opinion that the demand of 
the three lakhs from the Maha Rao of Kotah, to which His 
Highness will be liable from July next, should be remitted; 
and in the event of the two lakhs being inadequate to the 
provision of an efidcient force, that the balance be made 
up out of the amount of tribute paid by the Kotah State 
to the British Government. 

At the same time, the Governor General in Council 
feels it necessary, in reference to the great difldculty that 
has been hitherto experienced in inducing the Maha Rao to 
make the stipulated payments both for the tribute and for 
the Rouj-khurch Rund, that the Maha Rao be distinctly 
informed that a condition of the present indulgence is the 
immediate discharge of the arrear due and the future 'punc¬ 
tual payment of the sums henceforth demandable; and that, 
on a breach of this condition on the part of the Maha Rao, 
the Government will peremptorily demand the assignment 
of territory for the provision of the full sum of Rupees 
3,84,864. 


THE DISMEMBERMENT OE KOTAH. 


185 


OiiDEHEDj that a copy of this Resolution be sent to the 
Governor General’s Agent, Rajpootana, for communication 
to the Maha Rao of Kotah, and that Major Thoreshy be 
directed to take measures for the immediate adjustment 
of our demands against His Highness on the principle 
therein laid down. 

Ordered, that a copy of the Resolution be sent to the 
Rinancial Department for information. 


From F. Currie, Esq., Secretary to Governmeut of India, Foreign 
Department, to the Officiating Agent, Kajpootana,—No. 2565, 
dated Fort William, the 14th September 1844. 

I AM directed by the Governor General in Council to 

No. 138, dated 8th June 1844. acknowledge the receipt of your 

„ 150, „ 28t]i do. despatches, noted in the margin, 

regarding the maintenance of the Kotah Contingent; and, 
in reply, to transmit, for your information and guidance, the 
enclosed copy of a Resolution of Government, of this date, 
on the subject. 


PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT PRESS. 







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